A FRENCH woman is fighting for compensation for unfair dismissal on racial grounds after claiming a Kidderminster firm appointed a German to do her job.

Micheline Gadois broke down and wept as she told a Birmingham employment tribunal: "I can't believe the way the firm treated me."

Miss Gadois told the tribunal panel she was employed by Ceramaspeed, of Zortech Avenue, as a customer services co-ordinator dealing with clients, involving the sales of heating appliances for ceramic hobs.

The German domestic appliances firm Bosch were among the firm's European customers, and German was one of the four languages Miss Gadois spoke.

She said she was shocked to receive a letter while off sick, saying her job was being terminated, last autumn.

"I could not understand why, because I have always been loyal and a hard-working and conscientious employee," she said.

"I was always trying to improve my work with customers and even Bosch said they were surprised to hear I was leaving."

Miss Gadois started weeping again as she told how she loved her job and how she had a brilliant relationship with her colleagues.

"The firm told me they did not want me to be a part of the company any more and it caused me to be off work with stress and stomach cramps," she said.

"I was losing my job to a German national. The dismissal was unfair because it was made on the grounds of race."

Debra Franks, representing the firm, denied Miss Gadois was dismissed unfairly.

She said the German woman had not been appointed to replace Miss Gadois, and that Miss Gadois had become a disruptive influence to the staff and company by making her views known against a reorganisation plan.

"Miss Gadois was dismissed by the company but the decision was later changed and Miss Gadois was sent a letter offering three options - her job back in another department being one of them.

"But the company did not receive a reply and because of this the dismissal went ahead. In fact, Miss Gadois's work was appreciated, but it was her resistance to the reorganisation plan which prompted her dismissal."

Panel chairman David Kearsley said the panel was expected to make a decision in October.

"Whatever decision we make, you are entitled to four weeks' pay - the equivalent of a month's notice," he told Miss Gadois.