A woman sacked by her employer after taking time off following a miscarriage has been awarded a five-figure sum by an Employment Tribunal. Ashley Stokes was highly praised in a performance review just six months before her contract was terminated by Glenham Properties after claiming she had previously received warnings over her work. However, an employment judge found the letting firm had “fabricated” disciplinary records claiming she had received two cautions over her conduct. The company instead told Stokes they would “not accept another sick line,” adding she had failed to complete her role “due to illness”.

Stokes began working at the firm in August 2019 and received praise from managing director Miles Gilham during a meeting in February 2020. In an email, Mr Gilham wrote: "Really well done though in your initial period and looking forward to a successful 2020."

Stokes notified her employer of her pregnancy in June that year, but a scan in August revealed her baby had no heartbeat. The company was informed of her loss by Stokes’ mother before she was signed off by her GP – only for a letter confirming the termination of her employment three weeks later.

Glenham claimed "records of disciplinary action" showed the employee had received a verbal warning and a first warning related to performance earlier that year but Judge Jane Porter ruled those documents were “a fabrication on the part of the respondents,” adding:

"The Tribunal concluded that the fact that the claimant was absent due to having had a miscarriage was the reason for her dismissal."

The judge allowed the property manager’s pregnancy discrimination claim and awarded her £7,000 for the pain and suffering caused alongside a further £3,326 in lost wages.