A former estate agent, Murron Stewart, has successfully won a legal claim against her former employer, Purplebricks, after an employment tribunal ruled she was forced out of her position. The tribunal found that Stewart was subjected to unfair treatment following her return from maternity leave, ultimately leading to her departure from the company.

Central to the case was the finding that Purplebricks failed to maintain any contact with Stewart throughout the entirety of her maternity leave. This lack of communication, coupled with the subsequent handling of her return, was deemed by the tribunal to be a significant failure in the employer's duty of care. The tribunal concluded that the company’s actions created an environment that made it untenable for Stewart to continue in her role, effectively forcing her resignation.

As a result of these findings, the tribunal ordered Purplebricks to pay Stewart £48,000 in compensation. The ruling serves as a reminder of the legal obligations employers have toward staff on maternity leave, specifically regarding communication and the facilitation of a smooth return to the workplace. While the case highlights the risks companies face when failing to support employees during major life transitions, the specific internal policies or defenses offered by Purplebricks during the tribunal proceedings were not detailed in the available reporting.