The proposals set out in the government’s consultation on extending redundancy protection for women and new parents need to go further, according to the Women and Equalities Select Committee.
Although the Committee agreed with the proposals, to provide an additional period of protection against redundancy for new mothers and other groups, it felt that the changes “need to go further and robustly address the issue of enforcement of existing and new rights”.
Of particular concern to the Committee was the accessibility of information to employers, individuals and healthcare professionals.
“We welcome the existing steps taken by the government, but in line with evidence we have received, we invite the government to go further in setting up (in consultation with relevant stakeholders) a single comprehensive website for employers and individuals. It is vital that the information be full but easily accessible and easy to understand,” stated the response.
“In addition, we ask the government to work with relevant stakeholders including the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, to ensure frontline health professionals can provide basic advice to women and signpost them to further information and resources. This would also help to ensure that individuals who do not have access to the internet can obtain the relevant information.”
The Committee’s response outlined that they support an extension to the protections against redundancy during pregnancy and maternity leave, for a period of six months following their return to work. It highlighted that it had recommended making this adjustment in its 2016 inquiry report and that it should be implemented within two years. As this timeframe has now passed, it added that it hoped this reform would be implemented as soon as possible.
