City woman 'destroyed trust'

A financial executive was sacked during her maternity leave for her "unprofessional, untimely, disruptive " behaviour in calling her boss a "f***ing liar", a London unemployment tribunal heard today.

Janet Shlaef, director of talent development at US fund manager Goldenberg Hehmeyer, took the decision to axe Diane Winship from her £74,000-a-year job at the firm's London office.

Ms Shlaef, who chaired the disciplinary hearing which found an allegation of gross misconduct against Mrs Winship proved, told the tribunal: "Diane had behaved unprofessionally by making the remark to junior colleagues and I felt this had led to trust and confidence breaking down. I felt her credibility and that of the firm had been undermined."

The tribunal has heard that Mrs Winship made the remark about her boss Ralph Goldenbergafter they disagreed over her return to work after the birth of her first child. Mrs Winship, who had worked at the office for three years before becoming pregnant in 2002, believed he had agreed she could come back part-time on a permanent basis. Mr Goldenberg said this was not the case.

Mrs Winship, 35, of Docklands, is claiming sex discrimination and unfair dismissal against her former employer, which strongly denies her claims. The hearing continues.