Research from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into pregnancy discrimination highlighted that many employers are failing in their duty to protect pregnant and breastfeeding women in the workplace.
It revealed that almost half of mothers said either their employer did not initiate a discussion about risks or that not all the risks identified were tackled. Where the risks weren’t resolved, two in five mothers said it led to them starting maternity leave earlier than they wanted, and more than a quarter ended up taking sick leave.
In addition, one in five women left their job altogether as a result of the risks not being dealt with by their employer.
Scarlet Harris, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Maternity Action, explained that the Commission’s findings reflect their own evidence.
“This [EHRC research] tallies with the calls we get to our Maternity Rights Advice Line,” she said. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of calls from women whose employers have failed to do a risk assessment or who are refusing to act on risks identified by the woman.”
The new guidance is designed to support workplace representatives when tackling the health and safety of pregnant and breastfeeding employees.
