A pregnant insurance broker was fired after she was caught looking for strollers online and snooping on their colleagues’ e-mails.
Paige Mowatt spent more than 10 and a half hours reviewing non-work-related materials in just 15 days when she was questioned by an employment tribunal.
In addition to researching children’s products, she conducted an “ongoing and calculated” search for her employee’s reports, including checking her pain notes.
It was revealed after her bosses from One Call Insurance in Doncaster, Yorkshire, asked IT to look at her computer activity.
They were worried after the policyholder said he had been driving for six weeks without insurance, although Mowatt told him he would renew his car insurance.
The tribunal stated: “Ms. Mowatt was found to have had access to websites related to the sale of prams and other items to children during working hours.
“During the 15 days of work, Miss Mowatt was found to have spent 10 hours and 36 minutes on things that had nothing to do with work.”
The study also found that Mowatt had access to several e-mail boxes from colleagues at various levels of seniority, including two department heads.
Disciplinary proceedings were instituted and Mowatt admitted that she had checked her e-mails.
The tribunal said: “He thinks he was abused and wants to find out if there is any evidence.”
Mowatt was fired, but later sued his employer for the victims and unfair dismissal after finding e-mails among managers who called him a “fucking muppet.”
She admits that her managers gave her as much stress and anxiety as possible during her pregnancy.
But the Sheffield tribunal denied his allegations.
Labor judge Neil Maidment said: “Miss Mowatt’s views on her colleagues’ e-mails were calculating, persistent and extremely extensive, including not only in the search for the links themselves, but also in following the letters that nothing could be done with him and that in some cases private nature.
“One-call insurance did not go beyond reasonable answers because Miss Mowatt had lost faith and confidence that she could no longer continue her work.”