A senior sales executive, who was told by her employer that she would be ‘useless’ after she became pregnant, is set to scoop up to £200,000 for sex discrimination.

Reported by The Times newspaper, Louise Manning, who earned £55,000 a year, claimed Nick Medlam, managing director of Kent-based Safetell, a supplier of security systems, sent her a memo saying she would “never be the same again” after he learned she was expecting her first child.

In its judgment, the tribunal found the firm and its managing director guilty of 24 instances of sex discrimination. It ruled: “It is not often, these days, that the tribunal is faced with such a blatant response to notification of pregnancy.”

The level of damages is due to be set next month, when the tribunal will hear a separate claim that Manning was a victim of constructive dismissal, which the company denies.

Speaking exclusively to HR Zone, Medlam said: “I am surprised Mrs Manning is publicising the case. I cannot make any further comment at this stage.”