A REDDITCH accountancy employee is seeking compensation after complaining her firm moved from Rubery to Kidderminster while she was on maternity leave, without keeping her informed.

Jodie Rhodes, of Headless Cross, was employed by Intu Interiors of Rubery, which specialises in interior design and furnishings.

The firm moved to Kidderminster and Mrs Rhodes complained the new location was too far for her to travel, a Birmingham Employment Tribunal preliminary hearing was told.

She was seeking tribunal approval to go ahead with compensation claims for constructive unfair dimissal and sex discrimination against her former employers.

She alleged she was not kept informed about the firm’s move while on maternity leave and complained of a breach of confidence and trust.

The respondents opposed her compensation claims after denying they failed to keep her informed while she was away.

The firm said it had co-operated with Rhodes as fully as possible.

After considering the evidence, tribunal judge Lynne Findlay said Mrs Rhodes had made it clear she had no intention of returning to work because of her travelling distance to the new location.

This had prompted her compensation claim for constructive unfair dismissal, it was said.

Mrs Findlay said there had been a dispute about a call over the job termination date and that Mrs Rhodes had also volunteered for redundancy even though the firm planned to keep her on.

“My decision is that the claimant can go ahead with her compensation claims although, on the face of it, she appears to have little prospect of winning her case,” said Mrs Findlay.

“Because of this I have decided that the claimant should pay a deposit before the case goes ahead.”

After Mr Mark Williams, representing Mrs Rhodes, disclosed that she had several debts, Mrs Findlay said the deposit would be £200.

The one day tribunal hearing is to go ahead next year.