Equality Commission Launches Investigation

Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has said it is to conduct an investigation into the treatment of pregnant women and mothers in the workplace. The investigation will be carried out under the Sex Discrimination Order (NI) 1976.

The Equality Commission has said the most common cause of complaint it receives – on the grounds of gender – is from women who feel they have been treated unfairly in work, either when they become pregnant, or when they return to the workplace following maternity leave.

This investigation

Lyn McBriar and Anna Carragher have been appointed as Investigating Commissioners. It will begin with a number of focus groups so the Commission can hear from women who are, or were, in employment during all or part of their pregnancy, within the last five years.

Employers will also be invited to participate through round-table discussions to help identify any further advice or support they may need; while women with children under the age of five will be encouraged to complete an online survey. The investigation will continue throughout this year, with a full report due to be published in 2016.

Commenting on the investigation, Dr Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, said: "The investigation will consider the employment experiences of pregnant women and mothers returning to work and identify any barriers to equal treatment.

"It will also report on examples of good practice by employers which provide pregnant women and mothers with equality of opportunity in the workplace. It is important that all employers are aware of the laws governing pregnancy and maternity rights in the workplace.

"We do extensive work providing advice and guidance on these issues and find that most employers want to know what the law requires and want to make sure they are providing fair treatment and equality of opportunity for all their workers."

He added: "This Investigation will provide us with a wider perspective and a greater depth of knowledge of the issues facing women in the Northern Ireland workplace today.

"How we accommodate and support the needs of pregnant women and mothers in the workplace is a crucial test of our willingness as a society to enable women – who make up almost 50% of the workforce – to participate in it fully and without disadvantage."

(JP)