A Burgess Hill woman who was asked to work more hours for no extra pay yesterday won a battle for compensation.

Susan Walker won her claim for unfair constructive dismissal at an industrial tribunal against her former employer, Marathon Management Ltd, based at Hickstead.

The tribunal heard Ms Walker, a bookkeeper for the events company since March 2000, was asked to increase her working hours from 30 a week to 40 while still being paid an £18,000 a year.

The tribunal heard she had not been expecting the letter from her boss Philip Bunn and she rejected the proposal.

Meanwhile, Mr Bunn employed a temporary bookkeeper at £15,000 a year for a 40 hour week, which the tribunal heard was to cover for Ms Walker while she was off sick because of stress.

The tribunal heard Ms Walker and her boss had previously discussed problems with workload and how it could be settled.

Mr Bunn told the tribunal he believed Ms Walker's hours had to be increased.

He said: "It was impossible for a part-time bookkeeper to deal with the workload we had. It was not working. That was why I had conversations with Susan about it."

Elinor Sorrell, a self-employed bookkeeper who was working temporarily for Mr Bunn, told the tribunal she did not think it was a job which could be done in less than a 40-hour week.

Ms Walker's solicitor Imogen Bell suggested the evidence implied if Ms Walker did not comply, her contract would be altered and she would be dismissed.

Ms Walker said: "The mere fact I was working so hard for the company and generally being treated the way I was, was an insult on my integrity.

She added: "I did not feel I could have gone back to work for them. I just felt he was prepared to get rid of me basically."

Mr Bunn said: "I am running a small business with less than five employees and one full-time self-employed bookkeeper. I identified a need for the job of bookkeeping to be done on a full-time basis.

"My financial situation was such I could not afford to pay an increased salary. I believe all the time I acted in a fair manner and I was trying to strike a balance between all parties.

"I had no intention to release her. I had no issue with her work."

The level of Ms Walker's compensation will be announced on February 26.