Don’t lose out at work just because you’re expecting

When you’re expecting, the last thing on your mind might be your career – but pregnancy discrimination is holding women back at work.

Despite pregnancy and maternity discrimination being a direct violation of The Equality Act 2010, this is still one of the biggest issues facing women in the workplace.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission says around one in nine mothers (11 per cent) have been discriminated against during pregnancy or on maternity leave.

“It is against the law for an employer to treat you unfavourably because you are pregnant, because of an illness related to pregnancy or because you are taking or planning to take maternity leave,” says Mubeen Bhutta, Head of Policy and Communications at Working Families.

Although women have a ‘protected period’, which begins when you first become pregnant and continues until the end of your maternity leave (or when you return to work), women are still being pushed out of the workplace by losing out on promotions, missing time off work because of pregnancy-related illnesses or are being made redundant.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) launched new guidance in November which aims to combat pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace.

Acas says employers should make employees on maternity leave aware of opportunities for promotion and training; not include pregnancy-related leave on an employee’s absence record;andnotdismissormake employees redundant for an issue relating to the pregnancy, maternityleaveormaternitypay.

However, if your employer still isn’t following clear guidelines, Working Families has some expert advice.

Mubeen adds: “If you feel you are being discriminated against, get advice and support as soon as possible. Working Familiesrunsafreelegaladvice service and you can email us on advice@workingfamilies.org. uk or call us on 0300 012 0312.”

“You should first try to resolve the problem informally. If this doesn’t work, you should begin a grievance following your employer’s grievance policy and procedure.

“If this does not resolve the matter, you could bring a claim in an employment tribunal for pregnancy and maternity discrimination.”