![image: [ Heather Crees and Janet Greaves: their case could open the doors for thousands of others ]](/olmedia/60000/images/_60620_women.jpg)
Janet Greaves from Durham was dismissed from her job as a clerk at Kwik Save Stores after she returned to work to deliver a sick note.
Heather Crees from Essex was sacked by the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society when she sent a written notice saying she was unable to go back because of illness.
Both companies claimed that the women had automatically terminated their contracts because they had not complied with the terms of the Employment Rights Act, and been ready for work on the first day after their maternity leave.
But Lord Justice Mummery, giving the ruling, said the women had been unfairly dismissed.
In the case of Mrs Greaves, the industrial tribunal reached the correct decision and the Employment Appeal Tribunal should have dismissed the appeal by Kwik Save, he said.
The judge said an industrial tribunal had erred in law in the case of Mrs Crees when it found for the insurance company.
Laura Cox QC, who represented both women at the hearing last month, said the test cases were important for all women trying to combine work with parenthood.
The cases could open the doors for thousands of other women to take similar actions.
Equal Opportunities Commission
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