Bank of America agree compensation in maternity leave case

The Bank of America yesterday agreed to pay pounds 20,000 compensation to a woman who was refused part-time work or a job share after maternity leave. Kelly French, 28, who was employed as a senior clerk in the bank's Bromley branch in south-east London, claimed sex discrimination when the company insisted she resume her full-time job and then dismissed her after she refused.

Ms French argued that she was only able to work part-time because of her responsibilities towards her first child. Earlier this month, 35-year-old Sarah Rolls received pounds 35,000 from IPC Magazines in an out-of-court settlement. Ms Rolls was refused a part-time job after the birth of her second child.