Hacker Young fury over taskforce campaign on unfair dismissal.

Hacker Young this week hit out at the Equal Opportunities Commission after suggesting the government taskforce had dragged it into a political storm.

It was seething after publicity surrounding a review of its equal opportunities policies following a #5,000 out-of-court settlement to a former secretary.

The mid-tier London-based firm paid the sum to Elizabeth Nunn after she resigned from her job when it was changed from part-time to full-time while she was on maternity leave.

However, the firm said it had offered Nunn a part-time position, which she refused. She then resigned and made a claim for unfair dismissal.

Hacker Young partner Ladislav Hornan, said: ‘The EOC has used this case to put pressure on the government to introduce legislation. We have done nothing wrong and made an agreement with Ms Nunn with no admission of liability. We were also advised we acted lawfully and properly in all our dealings regarding her.’

The EOC said the case underlined the need for ministers to give women more rights to work flexibly after maternity leave and comes as it prepares a report on rights to part-time working and the Sex Discrimination Act.