Ban businesses from sacking new mothers, say MPs
BUSINESSES should be banned from sacking pregnant women and new mothers for up to four months after the birth of their child, a committee of MPs has said.
The women and equalities committee is calling on the Government to introduce rules for expectant mothers modelled on the German system after it emerged that “pregnancy discrimi- nation” has increased in recent years. MPs also warned that protections for workers on zero-hour or casual contracts need to be strengthened.
The report called for the tribunal system to be overhauled and said that employers must do more to assess risks to their pregnant staff.
It has been welcomed by anti-discrimination campaigners, who warned that although women are technically protected under constructive dismissal laws, many do not take employers to a tribunal when they are sacked because of their new responsibilities and the costs of legal advice.
Claire Dawson, head of employment at law firm Slater and Gordon, said: “The law in the UK prohibits discrimination against pregnant women and women returning from maternity leave but we regularly act for clients who have been made redundant while on, or shortly after returning from maternity leave. The last thing they want to do at this time in their lives is engage in a legal battle and, in many cases, they simply can’t afford to.”
The report calls for increased protection from redundancy, an extension from three to six months of the period in which workers can take employers to a tribunal, and for zero-hours and casual workers to be given maternity rights.
The Government has previously rejected calls for the tribunal system to be looked at again, and yesterday Margot James, the business minister, did not commit to the recommendations, despite welcoming the report.
However, a review is understood to be taking place and changes could be announced later this year.
Ms James said: “It is completely unacceptable that pregnant women and new mothers are apparently being forced to quit their jobs because of outdated attitudes.”
Maria Miller, the Conservative chairman of the committee, said: “The arrival of a new baby puts family finances under extreme pressure yet, despite this, thousands of expectant and new mothers have no choice but to leave their work because of concerns about the safety of their child or pregnancy discrimination. The Government’s approach has lacked urgency and bite.”
However, Kate Andrews, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “Women who are discriminated against need justice, but targeting flexible contracts that pregnant women and mothers may prefer would be counter-productive.”