Two ex-women employees claim discrimination by Virgin Blue in Brisbane court

Brisbane (Australia), Mar.5 (ANI): Two ex-women employees have told a court in Brisbane that Virgin Blue dealt with them in a discriminatory manner when they went on maternal leave in 2009-10.

A former Virgin Blue sponsorship specialist has claimed that the firm had discriminated against her before she was made redundant.

Kirsty Aitken told a federal magistrate's court in Brisbane that a Virgin Blue manager told her when she had just become a new mother that she was a "square peg they were trying to fit into a round hole" when making her redundant just days before the end of her maternity leave.

News.com.au quoted Aitken, as saying that she was "devastated" when she was told her position was no longer available on June 28, 2010.

"I was in tears, I was distraught, I couldn't understand what was happening," Aitken, who had been preparing to return to full-time work on July 10, told the court.

She and public affairs officer Leonie Vandeven, both in their early 30s, are taking court action against Virgin Blue, alleging they were discriminated against after confirming they were pregnant or when returning from maternity leave.

The women had worked together as part of the airline's public relations team until mid-2010, when they were told their positions were no longer required.

Aitken and Vandeven said their positions were immediately filled after they were forced to take redundancies.

Aitken said she worked part-time for several months during her year-long maternity leave and was given no warning she was to be made redundant.

She said her position was terminated about seven months after a senior member of the human resources department expressed his belief that companies should be able to fire women when they fall pregnant.

Lawyers representing Aitken and Vandeven claim Virgin breached the parental leave and redundancy policies, and other obligations as an employer.

The maximum penalty for breaching the act is 33,000 dollars.

Vandeven is also expected to give evidence during the hearing, which is set down for several days. (ANI)