1 in 61 pregnant women said their managers suggested they terminate their pregnancies

3 days ago

2 min read

Pregnancy and maternity discrimination remain serious challenges in the workplace, as recent research has shown. A 2023 survey with 24,000 parents found that over half of mothers have faced discrimination during pregnancy, maternity leave, or after returning to work following maternity leave.

Even more concerning, one in five mothers reported leaving their jobs due to negative or discriminatory experiences, and 1 in 61 pregnant women said their managers suggested they terminate their pregnancies.

The Law

The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for pregnant women and new mothers, covering a "protected period" that begins with pregnancy and lasts until the end of maternity leave (or two weeks after the end of pregnancy if no maternity leave applies). During this time, women are protected from being treated unfavourably due to pregnancy, pregnancy-related illnesses, or maternity leave. Beyond this protected period, women are still covered under broader sex discrimination laws.

Commentary

Despite these legal safeguards, discrimination continues. Sometimes it’s intentional but it can also stem from indifference, misplaced good intentions, or a lack of understanding of the law. For example, an employer might exclude a pregnant employee from redundancy consultations to "spare" them stress, but this can unintentionally result in discrimination.

To reduce the risk of discrimination, both employers and employees can take proactive steps:

Stay Informed: Understand the legal rights and responsibilities related to pregnancy and maternity.
Keep Communication Open: Ensure clear, honest conversations between employers and employees about expectations and any workplace changes.
Create Supportive Policies: Develop and enforce policies that support pregnant employees and those on maternity leave.
Provide Training: Train managers and staff to recognise and prevent discriminatory practices.

By focusing on these areas, organisations can foster a more inclusive workplace where the rights of pregnant women and new mothers are respected and upheld.

Call a specialist employment lawyer

Magara law is an employment law firm in Bicester, Banbury, Reading and Paddington, London, and services clients nationwide. For more information or to our employment law team at Magara Law, call 01869 325 883 or email roy@magaralaw.co.uk.