Expectant mother in line for compensation after colleague told her 'nobody wants to see a pregnant woman' at work

Published: 19:23, 24 August 2026 | Updated: 19:24, 24 August 2026 An expectant mother is in line for compensation after her colleague told her that 'nobody wants to see a pregnant woman' at work.  A tribunal ruled that Jessica Morgan was the victim of discrimination after she received the cruel comment after suggesting she could give a presentation to a client.  Ms Morgan, who was expecting, was also pressured into giving her company car back early.  She previously had a 'close working relationship' with her colleague at a small sales firm that sold wood products.  But this changed when she announced that she was pregnant.  Ms Morgan noticed a 'shift' in her colleague's behaviour and he made the rude remark.   She said that she was not allowed to visit customers and to 'focus on being a mum'.  She also claimed that her boss said he 'wouldn't make the mistake of hiring a woman again' when discussing taking temporary cover. An expectant mother is in line for compensation after her colleague told her that 'nobody wants to see a pregnant woman' at work After she left the role, an employment tribunal ruled that she had been the victim of pregnancy discrimination.  But she didn't win her case because she brought the claim too late.  Ms Morgan is still in line for compensation as she was found to have been victimised by her former employer. Ms Morgan began working as a sales manager at Panelex Wood Agency, a wood supplier based in Swansea in April 2020.  She originally earned £40,000 a year at the small business where she worked alongside Frederick Geraint Hawkes who was in charge of procurement.  The pair had a 'close working relationship' and were in regular contact. But when she informed Mr Hawkes that she was pregnant she said there was a 'shift in his demeanour' and she believed he thought her pregnancy was an 'inconvenience'.  In November 2023, prior to going on maternity leave, Ms Morgan offered to assist Mr Hawkes in preparing for a presentation for a client. In response, he said: 'Nobody wants to see a pregnant woman Jess.' She further claimed that when the two discussed hiring temporary cover he said he 'wouldn't be making the mistake of hiring a woman again'.  Mr Hawkes denied making the comment.  Ms Morgan messaged a friend saying: 'I'd walk out and start today if it was affordable!  'Had some REALLT [sic] sexist comments thrown at me recently and making out I can't do my job! A tribunal ruled that Jessica Morgan was the victim of discrimination after she received the cruel comment after suggesting she could give a presentation to a client 'Not allowed to visit customers anymore 'no one wants to see a pregnant woman' was what he said to me last week... I was upset!!' She felt she was unable to challenge the comments at the time.  Around the same time Mr Hawkes made comments about Ms Morgan being forgetful – but the tribunal found that this was not connected to her pregnancy.  Ms Morgan began her maternity leave in January 2024 and she became anxious about her position – making jokes about 'having her back'. However, Mr Hawkes told her to 'focus on being a mum'. In October 2024, they met up for a meeting in Costa Coffee to discuss her return to work where she was informed that her position no longer existed and they 'did not know where to put her'. During the meeting Mr Hawkes said to her 'surely he [her partner] earns enough for you to stay at home'. She left the meeting with the understanding that her employment would be brought to an end but that she could keep her company car until Christmas and would be paid any outstanding money. However, Mr Hawkes later asked for the car back at the end of October. Ms Morgan brought claims of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, pregnancy discrimination, sex discrimination and victimisation to an employment tribunal in Swansea. A hearing to determine her compensation will be made at a later date.  Employment Judge Alys Williams said: 'In many ways therefore this is a sad case and it is unfortunate that the relationship has broken down to such a degree. 'We find that her failure to challenge the comments does not undermine her account. 'She refers in numerous messages to her partner that we have been taken to, to the futility of arguing with Mr Hawkes, something she expressed again in her oral evidence. 'She also only refers to 'fighting back' on one occasion, later in November 2023. 'We find [Ms Morgan] did not frequently challenge Mr Hawkes and in light of the nature of their relationship, the dependency, anxiety and desire to please we describe above we are satisfied that her failure to challenge does not undermine her account. 'We are satisfied the comment does amount to unfavourable treatment. It suggests that the way a pregnant woman looks will make her off-putting to clients to the extent that she should not be seen. 'We find that the request for [Ms Morgan] to return the company car amounts to a detriment. '[Ms Morgan] agreed to the termination of her employment on terms, including that she could keep the company car until Christmas. '[Panelex] reneged on that agreement very soon thereafter and as soon as [Ms Morgan] sought payment of the sums to which she was entitled. 'The request to return the company car was as a direct response (couched in terms of a 'compromise') to [Ms Morgan's] request for the wages legally owed to her. 'The car was used as a bargaining chip for [Ms Morgan] to receive that money which she had made clear from the outset she desperately needed.'