Just when female lawyers across the country thought that the dark-old “glass ceiling” days were over comes news that a lawyer was allegedly sacked over her pregnancy:
As reported by The Age, former Kelly Hazell Quill lawyer Kate Hynes:
…is to launch legal action against her former employer claiming she was dismissed for being pregnant and for making complaints about conditions at her work… Ms Hynes – who was sacked in late September from boutique firm Kelly Hazell Quill Lawyers – is alleging she was told by director David Kelly that another director at the firm ”might be a bit funny” about her pregnancy. She said she went from being discussed as a director of the firm and having a bright future before the pregnancy to the ”bottom of the pile” after it was announced. All claims have been denied by Kelly Hazell Quill, which said Ms Hynes was ”solely” terminated due to ”behavioural problems” over a long period… Ms Hynes, who is 21 weeks pregnant and had extensive morning sickness, said the sacking had been ”devastating” to her and came after the recent death of a close friend in the Jakarta bombings. The relationship with the father of her unborn child had also broken down in July.
…Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who was not commenting on this case, said pregnancy discrimination is ”alive and well” and that complaints around sex discrimination had risen 20 per cent in the past year. She said that may be due to greater awareness due to changes to industrial laws while the economic downturn could also be a factor.
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