Daughter appeals against father's firm

Welder Suzanne Bunning claims the firm contributed to her miscarriage

A female welder faced her estranged relatives at a hearing on Tuesday for a second legal battle over claims that she was driven out of the family firm.

Suzanne Bunning is appealing against an employment tribunal's decision to reject her contention that she suffered sexual discrimination and constructive dismissal from agricultural manufacturer GT Bunning and Sons.

She was a welder at the firm in Gressenhall, near Dereham, Norfolk, when she discovered she was pregnant in September 2001.

The 28-year-old resigned in December 2001, a fortnight after suffering a miscarriage which she claims was brought on by the stress of having to continue with manual work.

Miss Bunning told the appeal panel in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, how her battle with her father John and other family members who run the business began after she became pregnant by her partner Tom Fletcher in September that year.

They were ordering me back without any concern for my fears. This was when I definitely knew that the company could not be trusted with the health of my unborn baby. Suzanne Bunning

She insisted she would be unable to continue welding due to the heavy lifting work involved, despite a risk assessment which stated it was safe to do so.

Despite pleas to her father, uncles and aunt - who were all at the hearing - that heavy manual work would threaten her unborn child, she was told to return to the workshop.

Miss Bunning, who is being represented by her partner, said: "I was totally horrified and scared that I was expected to return to that environment.

"They were ordering me back without any concern for my fears.

"This was when I definitely knew that the company could not be trusted with the health of my unborn baby."

'Lots of excuses'

Eventually, the firm found her a job in the stores, but she claims she was working 12-hour days, continuing to lift objects and had no chair.

Miss Bunning, now eight months pregnant with a second child, eventually left the home she shared with Mr Fletcher in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and moved to Llanfyllin, near Welshpool, Powys.

She claimed her father had made "lots of excuses" as to why she could not join the family business, even though both her brothers and two cousins were employed at the factory.

Miss Bunning returned to education to gain more welding certificates, adding:"I felt I needed extra qualifications because I was the only female in the workshop."

Outside the hearing, Miss Bunning said she no longer had any contact with her family, but did not wish to comment further while proceedings were ongoing.