An industrial tribunal ordered a beauty salon to pay Lm950 to a beautician after it ruled that she had been unfairly dismissed.

Sarah Jane Gialanze started working with beauty salon Estetika Co Ltd on 5 April 2003 on an indefinite contract with a probation period of six months.

She was fired on 21 August 2004 and complained that she was bullied by her immediate superior Audrey Grima. She said she was fired after her immediate superior received a complaint from one of her clients. Ms Gialanze also said that before she was fired, she never received a verbal or written warning.

However, the tribunal noted that while Ms Gialanze was a dedicated employee, the company wanted her to put in more work to fit in more clients and, as a result, had to rush in her work.

The tribunal said that following the client's complaint, Ms Gialanze should have been given a severe warning and not dismissed.

The tribunal, presided over by Dr Leslie Cushieri, found that Ms Gialanze had been laid off unjustly and, as a result, ordered Estetika to pay her Lm950 in damages.

Dr Ian Spiteri Bailey appeared for Ms Gialanze while Dr Andrew Borg Cardona appeared for Estetika.