The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has awarded more than $14,000 to a woman who lost her job at an upscale Victoria hair salon a week after telling her employer she was pregnant.

Kimberly LaCouvee alleged she was discriminated against by Alchemy Studios Ltd. when she was dismissed as an apprentice stylist in 2011, tribunal documents say.

LaCouvee told her employer she was pregnant on October 19 of that year and requested work schedule changes because of her condition.

On October 26 LaCouvee received a text message informing her she was being let go from her position.

The respondents denied they discriminated, alleging LaCouvee was dismissed from her trainee position because of poor performance and other workplace problems.

However, tribunal member Marlene Tyshynski determined LaCouvee’s complaint is justified, according to written reasons for decision issued May 14.

“She studied hard, obtained outstanding grades and attended work reliably prior to the onset of her morning sickness,” Tyshynski wrote.

“She was never put on notice that there were problems with her work performance or that her job might be in jeopardy.”

Tyshynski ordered the respondents to pay LaCouvee $7,500 as damages for injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect, and more than $6,700 for lost wages, lost benefits, and pension contributions.