Blogger wins wrongful dismissal case

An English secretary sacked for bringing her employers into disrepute by writing a personal blog has won her case for wrongful dismissal at a hearing in Paris.

Catherine Sanderson wrote the Petite Anglaise blog detailing her Bridget Jones-style life in Paris, but was sacked after her picture appeared on the site.

The 34 year-old secretary worked at the Paris headquarters of UK company Dixon Wilson.

The industrial tribunal ordered the accountancy firm to pay Sanderson €44,000 (£30,000), plus €500 legal costs and to reimburse the French government for the cost of her six months' benefits claim.

Sanderson's lawyers had been seeking a payout of £60,000.

The blog was written anonymously, with Anderson calling herself 'Petite Anglaise' and talking about her former boyfriend 'Mr Frog' and their child 'Tadpole'.

But when photographs of her appeared on the site, partners at Dixon Wilson claimed that the firm's reputation was harmed.

Sanderson was sacked for 'gross misconduct', although this charge was later reduced to 'loss of confidence' and 'dismissal with real and serious cause'.

The blogger has since signed a two-book publishing deal thought to be worth nearly £500,000. The first volume is expected in Britain in January 2008.

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