12 Aug 2020

Pregnant woman forced into parental leave takes case to Court of Appeal

5:20 pm on 12 August 2020

A Taupō woman who was forced out of her job because she was pregnant has caught the attention of the Court of Appeal.

09082016. Photo Rebekah Parsons-King. Pike River families want mine's CEO to face charges. Court of Appeal Wellington.

Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Zelinda Doria worked at Diamond Laser Medispa in 2016, but after telling her employer in November of that year she was about seven weeks pregnant, they told her she must start parental leave immediately.

She later complained to the Human Rights Commission and then filed proceedings at the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

The company has objected to the case being heard before the tribunal because it lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case.

At the Court of Appeal today, Doria's lawyer Simon Judd said she had suffered discrimination.

"Her claim falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Act and the Human Rights Review Tribunal," he said.

Judd said the relationship turned toxic very quickly and the working environment turned hostile.

The judges reserved their decision.