‘Even when it costs us financially, we are called to do what is right,’ says Shakira Peronet, as she looks at the case of a woman who had to fight her employers for justice.
When Nikita Twitchen from Wales was on maternity leave she became pregnant again. She was employed as an administrative assistant at a building company called First Grade Projects. When her employer found out she was pregnant, she was made redundant on other grounds.
Nikita launched an unfair dismissal claim and won her case this year. She was given a payout of more than £28,000.
I am a woman who has just gone back to work a fortnight ago after maternity leave, and yet my immediate reaction when I saw the headline, was to think; “Can you blame them?!” I imagined being a business owner with a five year plan, waving off a colleague for a year or so, only for them to return, and say they’ll be leaving again soon. I’d be fuming!
In all honesty I completely understand why they wanted to get rid of her
I would be frustrated, disappointed and stunned by the news of another baby while the first one is barely able to walk! In all honesty I completely understand why they wanted to get rid of her, how they went about it was terrible, but I understand the feeling of most likely wanting to replace her with a young male, preferably single, with much greater ‘staying power’ and no risk of this catastrophe happening again.
As a Christian if I had been the employer I think I would have wrestled with my own emotions, whilst trying to remind myself that I am not in control of people’s lives, dreams or decisions. My business would be my priority, but who am I to say a woman can’t or should not get pregnant on maternity leave? I like to think I would have bitten the bullet and made it work.
As a Christian if I had been the employer I think I would have wrestled with my own emotions, whilst trying to remind myself that I am not in control of people’s lives, dreams or decisions.
The Bible calls us to be above reproach, we are called to do what is right in the eyes of everyone (Romans 12:17). That means even when things are hard, even when we are inconvenienced, even when it costs us financially, we are called to do what is right. They knew they couldn’t legally dismiss her for her fertility, and so they took things into their own hands. The Bible is full of scriptures of comfort, but Romans 12:17 is a high calling, one which I too have struggled with, especially when it’s so much easier to cut a corner.
Ignoring someone returning to work, and then making up a clearly very false reason why they are being made redundant is dishonest and lacking in integrity. As a business owner they abused their power and made a woman in a very vulnerable situation most likely feel completely left in the lurch. This is the impact of our patriarchy, and putting our own gain over the needs of others.. I am glad she took them to court, knew her rights and won!
Read more on maternity leave
From doctor’s appointments to maternity pay, these are your legal rights as a pregnant employee
Fertility leave may help couples who are struggling to conceive
Where the company was dishonest, this woman was honest. Where they hid, she sent emails and made every effort to communicate. And I am glad her efforts (which I am sure were demanding) ended up being rewarded. I was reminded of the beatitudes: ’Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5:10) And Isaiah 43:2 says: ’When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.’
I can only imagine what it was like for this woman, not understanding why she couldn’t go back to her job, waiting for a response, being pregnant with a young child and unsure if she would be paid or not, she went through deep waters, but was rewarded with justice.
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