Pregnancy bias: Unite call secures study

A government study that exposes the disgraceful pregnancy and maternity discrimination experienced by three out of four working mothers has finally been released, following pressure from Unite.

The survey of 3000 mothers found that one in nine pregnant women and new mothers lose their job as a result of discrimination and showed that many have been threatened with dismissal, passed over for promotion, denied training and had problems getting time off for antenatal appointments.

Despite this, less than 1 percent of women went to an employment tribunal to have their case heard. Since prohibitive ÂŁ1,200 tribunal fees were introduced by the Tories in 2013, sex discrimination cases have fallen by 76 percent and pregnancy related cases have dropped by 50 percent, the report noted.

The research, commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, was ordered by former MP Jo Swinson during her tenure as Minister for Employment Relations in 2013.

However it took until Tuesday (March 22) for the report to be released – a factor which hindered a parliamentary oral evidence session on maternity and pregnancy discrimination due to take place that same day. The publication was made only after repeated calls from Unite and the campaign group Maternity Action.

Unite national equalities officer, Siobhan Endean, said, “The reason the government procrastinated on the report’s release was because it demonstrates their austerity agenda is an abject failure for women.

“The government is attacking trade unions when this report shows how vital trade union reps are in providing employment rights advice and representation for pregnant women and new mothers.

“That’s why Maternity Action formed the alliance against pregnancy discrimination with unions at it’s heart – to ensure women’s voices were heard.”

End tribunal fees

“Now that the overwhelming evidence of widespread discrimination has been brought to light (business secretary) Sajid Javed should listen to the advice from the EHRC, abolish tribunal fees and restore access to justice to working mums,” she added.

The EHRC recommended that tribunal fees system should be changed and that the time limit to bring a tribunal involving pregnancy and maternity discrimination be extended from three to six months.

Other suggestions included employers being prevented from asking women about their plans for children during interviews and the implementation of an insurance scheme for small businesses to cover maternity leave.

Caroline Waters, deputy chairwoman of the EHRC, said, “We simply cannot ignore the true scale of the hidden discrimination that working mothers face.

“This is unacceptable in modern Britain, and urgent action is needed to ensure women are able to challenge discrimination and unfairness.

“This is why we are calling on government to look at the barriers working pregnant women and mothers face in accessing justice.”

Around 3000 employers were also questioned for the survey, with a quarter stating that it was reasonable to ask women if they were planning to have children during a job interview. Just over half said they provided no training or support for managers dealing with maternity and pregnancy issues.

Swinson, now chair of Maternity Action, said, “Now that we know the shocking scale of the problem, the government needs to take swift action to better protect women in the workplace.

“Women deserve to be treated fairly at work when pregnant and as new mothers. Our economy simply can’t afford to squander their talent.”