Many businesses’ attitudes are decades behind the law when it comes to recruiting women, according to findings from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
A survey of more than 1,100 senior decision makers found that 36 per cent of private sector employers believe it is reasonable to ask women about their plans to have children during the recruitment process.
The study, which was commissioned to investigate managers’ attitudes to pregnancy and maternity discrimination, also revealed that 59 per cent agree that women should have to disclose whether they are pregnant during the recruitment process, and almost half believe it is reasonable to ask whether they have young children.
Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive of the EHRC, said it was a depressing reality that, when it comes to the rights of pregnant woman and new mothers in the workplace, we are still living in the dark ages.
‘We should all know very well that it is against the law not to appoint a woman because she is pregnant or might become pregnant,’ she said. ‘Yet we also know that women routinely get asked questions around family planning in interviews. It’s clear that many employers need more support to better understand the basics of discrimination law and the rights of pregnant women and new mothers.’
Looking beyond recruitment, the survey also found negative attitudes towards pregnant employees. Around 40 per cent of employers claimed to have seen at least one pregnant woman ‘take advantage’ of their pregnancy, while four in 10 employers agreed that pregnancy in the workplace puts ‘an unnecessary cost burden’ on the workplace.
To help tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination the EHRC has called on employers to eliminate these attitudes by employing best practice and joining the Working Forward initiative to improve business practices.
