BSkyB loses unfair dismissal and sex discrimination cases

BSkyB faces a paying out £200,000 to two women journalists after winning their unfair dismissal and sex discrimination claims.

The employment tribunal ruled that Natalie Stone, 34 and Victoria Waterson, 31, were dismissed from their jobs because they were mothers with young children.

Ms Stone and Ms Waterson were overlooked for a new position of video producer, which was given to the then senior Sky executive Mike Taylor’s personal assistant, Dee Lakhan. Taylor, head of networked media at Sky Movies, had a “mindset adverse to pregnancy and maternity leave”, the tribunal held.

Stone and Waterson are now seeking compensation for loss of earnings and injury to feelings. The pair, who both earned about £20,000, can claim up to £65,300 each for unfair dismissal, however damages for sex discrimination is open ended.