Welcome to the world!

Britons welcomed the birth of the latest Royal baby, who arrived just in time for the Bank Holiday on Monday, May 6. While Harry and Meghan will wrestle with many of the same challenges new parents face, they’ll be spared the struggles that working parents must contend with — including accessing their workplace maternity and paternity rights. That’s why Unite has today (May 7) launched a new video to raise awareness about these rights.

Commenting on the video’s release, Unite national officer Siobhan Endean said, “While Britons celebrate the birth of the newest Royal baby, now is an important time to remember that for many new working mothers and fathers, the stress of parenthood is compounded by yet more worry because they cannot access their maternity and paternity rights.

“It is a national scandal that more than 50,000 women a year are sacked while pregnant. Legislation urgently needs to be updated to ensure no woman is made redundant for being pregnant or a new mother. The government has previously committed to bringing legislation forward and we as a campaigning union will continue to hold their feet to the fire until they act.

“Joining a union like Unite is the best way for new mothers and fathers to get the support they need and ensure that their employers are following the rules. Paid maternity and paternity leave, as well as protection from pregnancy discrimination, are not ‘Royal’ luxuries for the few – they’re hard-won rights that every single mother and father entitled to.”

Find out more about how Unite can help you as a new parent here. 

• Pic: baby model