New government pregnancy discrimination plans don’t go far enough, says TUC

Commenting on a report published today (Thursday) by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“We are pleased the government has finally published its plans for tackling pregnancy discrimination. However Ministers are still not confronting the elephant in the room – the impact of employment tribunal fees.

“Bad bosses will continue to get away with discriminating against new mums as long as it costs up to £1,200 to take a pregnancy discrimination claim.

“It’s also very disappointing that the government has not extended the time women have to bring a claim.

“My advice to women is to join a union. As the Equality and Human Rights Commission highlighted pregnant women and new mums are treated better in workplaces that recognise trade unions.”

ENDS                                                                

Notes to Editors:

• The government report is issued in response to a Women and Equalities Select Committee report on pregnancy and maternity discrimination published in August 2016. That report is available at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmwomeq/90/9002.htm
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) also published a report on pregnancy and maternity discrimination last year, which found that  around one in nine mothers (11%) reported that they were either dismissed; made compulsorily redundant, where others in their workplace were not; or treated so poorly they felt they had to leave their job; if scaled up to the general population this could mean as many as 54,000 mothers a year. This is available at www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/managing-pregnancy-and-maternity-workplace/pregnancy-and-maternity-discrimination-research-findings