The former spokesperson for Bottomline Technologies is suing the Portsmouth-based financial services technology firm for eventually replacing her with a man paid twice as much after she returned from maternity leave.

Gemma Waite, who currently lives in Exeter, was director of marketing and communications at Bottomline from September 2017 to June 2020. She went on a three-month leave starting June 2019, and shortly before she returned in September was told by her supervisor that the company was hiring a new vice president of corporate communications, and Waite would report to that person, according to the lawsuit.

The suit was filed in February and moved in March to U.S. District Court in Concord.

According to the suit, the supervisor allegedly told her that she was trying to “lighten (Waite’s) load” because Waite now had a baby. When Waite complained that she felt she had been demoted, the supervisor allegedly said, “We need someone who can handle Rob (Rob Eberle, the CEO) … and who can stand up to him,” and that someone would be a man.

She also was allegedly told — after receiving previously glowing evaluations — that her performance had been “inconsistent” and that the event management part of her job would go to someone else as well.

Between October and November, the company posted the corporate marketing position at a salary of $200,000 to $260,000 — about twice Waite’s salary of $118,450 — even though the duties were nearly identical to her duties,” says the complaint.

The suit charges the company with two counts of gender discrimination, two counts of retaliation as well as violating federal and state equal pay laws and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. It seeks unspecified damages.

“The company does not comment on pending litigation,” the company told NH Business Review. — BOB SANDERS