Sat Mar 29 05:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Citibank Pays £215,000 in Sex Discrimination Settlement
**Belfast, Northern Ireland** – A former Citibank employee, Maeve Bradley, has received a £215,000 settlement after alleging sex discrimination following her return from maternity leave. Bradley, a former assistant vice-president of derivatives, claimed she was denied a promised promotion to vice-president upon her return to work in 2023, a promotion instead given to the employee who temporarily covered her position.
Bradley, who had worked at Citibank’s Belfast office since March 2021, stated that she was assured her role would be upgraded upon her return from maternity leave. However, after contacting her manager to discuss her return and reduced hours for childcare, she was offered a different, less senior position.
The settlement was reached through mediation, with Citibank stating they were “disappointed” they could not retain Bradley but making no admission of liability. The case has reignited concerns over sex discrimination in Northern Ireland, with the Equality Commission reporting they continue to receive 1,000 complaints annually, despite legislation introduced almost 50 years ago to protect women’s rights.
Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, highlighted that pregnancy and maternity issues remain the most common type of discrimination complaint (25%), stating that Bradley should have been considered for the promotion. She emphasized that the law guarantees women the right to return to their previous job after maternity leave without penalty.
A Citibank spokesperson stated that the bank “strives to foster an inclusive workplace” and that ensuring compliance with their standards is an ongoing process. Bradley, who has worked in finance for 13 years, expressed her devastation at the turn of events, stating that all she did was have a baby.
First Piper 