UK NEWS
Pregnant teacher denied WFH during Covid wins discrimination case
Charlotte Parton was docked wages after not coming into work at her primary school due to fears for her unborn baby as the third Covid-19 lockdown loomed
A school teacher who was ordered back to the classroom during the coronavirus pandemic despite voicing fears for the safety of her unborn child has won a discrimination claim.
Charlotte Parton told an employment tribunal she was 34 weeks pregnant when she emailed her boss over the Christmas break in 2021, telling Rossanna Snee she was “anxious” about returning to the classroom. The headmistress told the teacher she was expected back at work the following day.
Snee was said to have advised Parton that she should “wash hands regularly” and “wear a mask” and that there was no reason not to continue in her role.
Parton did not attend work on the first day of term, which coincided with Boris Johnson, then prime minister, announcing