EOC reports 'pregnancy prejudice' rife in UK

Around 30,000 women are made redundant or forced to leave their jobs, due to 'pregnancy discrimination', the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has reported.

The EOC found that of the 441,000 pregnant women at work each year, nearly half (45%) reported some form of discrimination because of their pregnancy. One in five (21%) reported a financial loss due to the discrimination, while one in 20 felt they were put under pressure to hand in their notice.

The results of the EOC's research have been released to coincide with the launch of the 'Pregnant and Productive' campaign, which is calling for an end to what they call the "unlawful treatment" of pregnant working women.

The 'pregnancy discrimination' recorded by the research includes; denial of promotion, bonuses and training opportunities; changes in job descriptions; being left out of decisions; and even verbal abuse.

Julie Mellor, Chair of the EOC, said: "Our findings make for shocking reading. Women should not be penalised simply for being pregnant. The impact on women, their partners and families and on the health of their baby can be disastrous."

However, the EOC said that the majority of employers are supportive of pregnant workers. HSBC bank almost trebled the number of women returning to work after having a baby, which saved them millions of pounds, the EOC reported. Nationwide also have a maternity return rate of 91.5% - a 30% increase over the last ten years, which has also saved the company £3 million.

The EOC also said that the introduction of childcare and work-life balance policies have helped reduce the number of women who leave work after having a baby to 15% in 2001, compared to 70% in 1988.

Ms Mellor said: "Although some employers knowingly flout the law, many businesses do face genuine challenges in managing pregnancy and simply don't know what their responsibilities are or what help is available to them. We need urgent action from the government to provide more information and support for pregnant employees and their employers."

The EOC is calling on the government to provide a written statement of maternity rights and employer responsibilities for every pregnant woman, as well as giving employers a 'right to request' employees planned return date much earlier in maternity leave, where possible.

More information on the 'Pregnant and Productive' campaign can be found at: www.eoc.org.uk/pregnancy

(KMcA/SP)