A deeply personal and professional rift has erupted into a full-blown legal battle, as a pregnant nurse sues her own brother – a GP – for unfair dismissal from the family-run medical practice.
Victoria Blake, 31, was seven months pregnant when her sibling, Dr Andrew Blake, terminated her employment at the Aylestone Hill Surgery in Hereford. The crux of the case hinges on a bizarre and painful detail: Dr Blake claims he attempted to "gently soften the blow" of the dismissal by not explicitly using the word "sacked." He allegedly believed his sister had understood the situation, a claim she vehemently denies.
A Family Business Fractures
The situation is fraught with familial tension. The siblings worked alongside their mother, practice manager Susan Blake, creating a complex web of personal and professional relationships. The dismissal, which Victoria claims came without warning or a proper process, has shattered the family dynamic.
Victoria Blake contends she was left utterly bewildered. Following a meeting in July 2023, she understood she was being suspended on full pay, not fired. It was only upon receiving a formal letter weeks later that the shocking reality set in – her own brother had terminated her position.
"Softening the Blow" or Obscuring the Truth?
Dr Blake's defence, as presented in tribunal documents, is that he deliberately avoided harsh language. "I was trying to gently soften the blow and did not say the words 'you are sacked'," he stated, adding he believed his sister had "accepted the decision."
However, this approach is now the central focus of the wrongful dismissal claim. Victoria's legal team argues this vague communication was a failure to follow due process and left their client in a state of limbo, unsure of her employment status at a critically vulnerable time.
A Claim of Maternity Discrimination
Beyond the wrongful dismissal, Victoria is also pursuing a claim for maternity discrimination. The timing of the dismissal, deep into her pregnancy, raises serious questions under the Equality Act 2010. The tribunal will examine whether her pregnancy was a motivating factor in the decision to remove her from her role.
The case highlights the severe difficulties that can arise when family and business intersect, especially within the high-pressure environment of the NHS. The outcome of the tribunal is awaited with keen interest, as it will set a precedent for employment practices and family dealings in small businesses across the UK.
