Equality and Human Rights Commission launches research project to uncover extent of problem
It is very concerning that some women are discriminated against at work because they choose to have children, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said.
Mark Hammond said bias against pregnant women or those returning to work after maternity leave "needs to be tackled". Launching a new EHRC research project, Hammond vowed to uncover the extent of the problem.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some pregnant women experience prejudice while on maternity leave or on their return to work, an ECHR spokesman said.
The review will examine pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace. Experts will investigate employers' treatment of workers who are pregnant or on maternity leave, and these employees' experiences.
Hammond said: "It is very concerning that in 2013 a number of women are still being disadvantaged in the workplace just because they are pregnant. That would be unlawful discrimination and needs to be tackled.
"We will look at existing research, gather new evidence and carry out our expert analysis to establish the extent of the problem and advise on how best it can to be addressed."
Rosalind Bragg, director of charity Maternity Action, said: "It is important that the government does not weaken the law on pregnancy discrimination but instead focuses on employer compliance. The principles of non-discrimination were established decades ago and should be accepted as an essential part of the business environment.
"Since the economic downturn began, pregnant women and new mothers have faced an increasingly difficult time in the workplace. Unfair and unlawful treatment of new mothers is widespread and action is urgently needed. Pregnancy discrimination imposes major costs on new families at a time when they are least able to handle additional financial stress."
Kiran Daurka, an employment lawyer at Slater & Gordon, said: "Mothers, whether expecting children or returning to work, are a vital part of Britain's workforce. We need to treat them better. We are delighted to hear that the EHRC is to undertake some very important and much needed work around maternity discrimination.
"Following our own findings over the summer, which revealed that more than a quarter of mothers feel discriminated against, it is clear that urgent action is needed to protect pregnant employees and those returning from maternity leave."
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