Recent legal changes such as the introduction of parental leave coupled with enhanced maternity leave have been viewed as encouraging women in the workforce. Some commentators have suggested that these developments may be a step too far for hard pressed businesses. But is it really a woman’s world - or are women still discriminated against in the workplace?
Certainly many women seem to think that they are not being treated fairly. According to recent statistics, in 1998/99 there were 6,202 applications before Employment Tribunals, alleging sex discrimination. This represents an 80% increase in claims on the previous year and employers need to take notice of this change and mark the risk!
The recent case of Aisling Sykes highlights these issues. Ms Sykes used to be a top executive in the capital markets division of JP Morgan earning £100,000 per year. When she was dismissed from the bank last year she brought claims for unfair dismissal and indirect sex discrimination. She claims
