Amputee sacked 'after going sick'

An amputee forced to take time off work due to illness was sacked from her brother's Norfolk-based firm for going sick, a tribunal heard.

Bridget Holden, 49, is claiming unfair dismissal and disability discrimination while working for Holden Portable Toilet Hire, based at Melton Constable.

Miss Holden was signed off by a doctor in July 2005, but after telling her brother's wife, she was sacked.

The employment tribunal, taking place in Norwich, continues on Tuesday.

Home office

The firm is owned and run by Martin Holden and his wife Rosemary.

Miss Bridget Holden, a former teacher who lost her leg 10 years ago, worked as a manager for the company.

She told the tribunal she found the work demanding and regularly experienced physical pain from the pressure sores caused by her prosthetic leg.

Soon after starting work she secured funding to build an office at her home because she claimed the company's premises unsuitable for someone with her disability.

'Ballistic' reaction

It was claimed her relationship with her brother and sister-in-law began to deteriorate.

At the start of 2005 Miss Holden was admitted to hospital for three weeks.

When she returned to work she was threatened with a salary cut and asked to fill out time sheets, the tribunal heard.

Miss Holden alleged that at one point Mrs Rosemary Holden said: "I have no idea what you do or what we employ you for."

In July 2005, Miss Holden was signed off sick by her doctor but when she told Mrs Holden she went "ballistic", tore up the certificate and said: "You can't go off sick, you're sacked."

The case continues.