A STOURPORT woman lost her compensation claim for constructive dismissal against a Kidderminster firm - because of 45 defective soap dispensers.

A Birmingham employment tribunal was told that Elizabeth Perry, of Burlish Crossing, had been employed as a packer at DMS Chromium Plating, of Kidderminster, and promoted to shift leader.

She faced problems with the management, however, when she packed the 45 soap dispensers, allegedly without checking their condition.

"The dispensers had marks on them and were not in a clean state," said the firm's managing director, Stephen Grimsley, "but they were put in a box which was sealed and marked 'passed'."

Mr Grimsley said Mrs Perry was given a written warning and later asked to work the day shift.

"But she came in at 6am instead of 8am and complained she had not been given enough notice," added Mr Grimsley.

He said she later handed in a sick note after complaining she had shoulder trouble and eventually resigned.

Mrs Perry claimed she had been victimised by the management. "They knew of my circumstances at home and that I did not want the shift work changed," she said, "It suited my style of life but I had no choice but to accept the change in hours, otherwise I would have been unemployed."

Mrs Perry said that the change in working hours would have meant a £50 a week loss.

She said customers had accepted the marked products before without complaint.

"My position at the firm became untenable - I had to leave," she said, "I did not like doing the different hours."

Tribunal chairman, Jean Heal, said the change in working hours had raised the question over whether there had been a breach of contract but Mrs Perry had agreed to the change in hours.

Miss Heal said the tribunal's decision was that Mrs Perry's claim for constructive dismissal had failed.