Ms Madarassay claimed she was reprimanded for not missing lunch

Andrea Madarassay, 38, from Ashtead, Surrey, was told she was fairly made redundant by Nomura International from her �70,000-a-year job.

Her claim of victimisation under the Sex Discrimination Act was also rejected in a ruling by the central London employment tribunal, as were several complaints of sex discrimination against the bank.

But a complaint of sex discrimination on the grounds that the company had failed to make a health and safe risk assessment in the workplace when she was pregnant was upheld.

'Humiliated and embarrassed'

Mother-of-three Ms Madarassay claimed she was reprimanded for not skipping lunch to dedicate more time to work while pregnant with her third child.

She also claimed she felt "humilated and embarrassed" at having to ask to go to the toilet while suffering from morning sickness.

She had been working in the equity capital markets team at Nomura as a banker when she was made redundant in 2001.

Ms Madarassey, who was born in Hungary, said her solicitors were examining grounds for appeal against the ruling.

Right conclusions

She said: "I am shocked and disappointed that the employment tribunal has ruled against my claim.

"As a result some city firms might conclude they can continue to exploit and treat minority groups, such as women, less favourably without having to face the consequences."

In a statement Nomura said it was "very pleased" by the outcome. It said: "The employment tribunal's conclusions on the substantive issues are the right ones.

"The tribunal's decision vindicates Nomura's policy of defending itself where it believes there is no case to answer."