An employment tribunal involving Pertemps chairman Tim Watts and a former director of the company’s subsidiary, Network Brand Partnership, has been adjourned until later this month.

Debbie Smith, who was appointed to the £90,000-a-year role in September 2008, claims she was forced out of the company after filing a grievance against Watts.

The employment tribunal, which began in Birmingham at the end of September, has heard from witnesses who claimed that Watts made inappropriate comments in their presence on two separate occasions.

The tribunal has yet to hear from Watts who denies all claims. At the tribunal, Watts’ legal team has contended that Smith brought her claim as a result of potentially losing her job when her business made losses of £200,000.

Smith, who has worked in recruitment for more than 20 years, is suing for sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and victimisation. She is claiming for a loss of earnings, loss of pension contributions and injured feelings.