A STOURPORT footstool maker is seeking compensation for sex discrimination and unfair dismissal against a Hartlebury furniture firm after alleging male employees were given more privileges.

Mother-of-two, Rachel Taylor, of Heathlands, made her allegations at Birmingham Employment Tribunal against Wyvern Furniture, of Hartlebury Trading Estate.

Mrs Taylor joined the firm in May, 1999 and was initially paid just over £1 for each footstool she made, with a turnover of between eight and 10 an hour.

She said she worked a 40-hour week until her first child was born, in November, 2000, and worked part-time on her return to work. She said, however, her problems started when she carried on working reduced hours while waiting for the management's confirmation.

"I was criticised for working the reduced hours and the men were given work I should have done," she said. "Some lads came in extra early to do the footstools I should have done and some men employees were allowed to go home once their work had finished while I was found extra work and kept on."

Mrs Taylor said the firm's labourers were told to stop fetching the stool bases for her and she alleged she was threatened with disciplinary action unless she increased her working hours.

"By then, I had had my second baby. I was later told my job was at risk and, eventually, I was dismissed."

Mrs Taylor said that two bosses, in particular, were responsible for the alleged sex discrimination against her.

The hearing was adjourned to a date to be fixed after Mrs Taylor decided to make her sex discrimination claims against the two bosses, in addition to that against the firm.

Tribunal chairman, Richard Hutchinson, advised her to seek the advice of Kidderminster Citizens Advice Bureau.

A Shuttle/Times & News cutting, dated July 14 this year, was shown by Mrs Taylor to Mr Hutchinson.

The cutting told how 230 jobs had been saved at Wyvern Furniture and its transport arm, Earlybird Furniture, with a management buyout from the Christie Tyler Group.

The Wyvern firm was not represented at the tribunal hearing. The two bosses concerned are to be ordered to attend the next hearing.