Maeve Bradley, a former Citibank employee in Belfast, has received a £215,000 settlement after being overlooked for a promotion following her maternity leave. Bradley, who served as an assistant vice-president of derivatives at Citibank’s Belfast office from March 2021, took time off in 2023 for the birth of her baby. Upon her return, she was informed that a different role, one she had not applied for, was being offered to her, as the promotion she had been anticipating was given to her maternity leave coverage.

The settlement, which does not include an admission of liability by Citibank, has sparked renewed discussions about sex discrimination in the workplace. Geraldine McGahey, the head of the Equality Commission in Northern Ireland, reported that the commission continues to receive 1,000 complaints annually regarding this issue, five decades after legislation aimed at protecting women’s rights was introduced.

Bradley, with 13 years of experience in the financial sector, had been assured her job would be elevated from assistant vice-president to vice-president upon her return from maternity leave. Instead, she was offered a different position and discovered the expected promotion had been given to the colleague who had filled her role during her absence. Bradley was deeply distressed by this outcome, emphasizing that she had excelled in her position and was eager to return to work.

She took formal action within Citibank, but her grievance was not upheld. This led to legal proceedings for sex discrimination and other related claims. The case was resolved through mediation before it could go to an employment tribunal.

This case is supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, which notes that pregnancy and maternity-related issues remain a significant challenge, representing 25% of all complaints it receives. The commission’s chief commissioner, Geraldine McGahey, stressed that laws are in place to protect women from sex discrimination, ensuring they can return to work without disadvantage due to pregnancy or family obligations.

A spokesperson for Citibank expressed appreciation for the resolution and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive workplace, stating that adherence to these standards is an ongoing priority.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/mar/26/former-citibank-exec-settles-maternity-discrimination-case-for-215000