Mothers face discrimination after maternity leave

New working mothers returning from maternity leave are more likely to be discriminated against, according to a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The new study conducted by the EHRC suggests an approximate 54,000 women are losing their jobs across the country on an annual basis, twice as much as figures released ten years ago.  

The Pregnancy and Maternity-Related Discrimination and Disadvantage report was conducted through a survey of over 3,200 women and was created in partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The study shows 10% of women were being put at risk after suggestions that employers were discouraging them from going to antenatal appointments. Caroline Waters, deputy chair of the EHRC, said it identified “worrying levels of discrimination and disadvantage at work that women still face”.

The data found one in nine new mothers had been forced into redundancy or made to quit after being made to work in difficult conditions. Women surveyed for the purpose of the report said they felt they were being mistreated or treated unfairly by their employers after returning to work, while as many as 100,000 were subjected to negative comments and even harassment by colleagues as well as senior members of staff.

Shockingly, the report shows 7% of those surveyed said they were pressured into quitting their jobs while one in 20 said they had been given a downgraded salary.

Justine Roberts, chief executive of parenting website Mumsnet, said: “Despite legislation designed to protect women from discrimination in the workplace, it’s clear that in many cases, companies are simply not following the rules”.

She continued: “It’s short-sighted for employers to lose talented women who have built up skills and experience just because of unwillingness to support them on maternity leave and on return to work.”

Rosalind Bragg, director of Maternity Action, said: “This research paints a shocking picture of the experiences of pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace.”

“When David Cameron came to power, he committed to making Britain the most family friendly country in Europe.  Instead, the position of mothers in the workplace has deteriorated significantly…It is unacceptable that 54,000 women each year are dismissed or bullied out of their jobs purely because they became pregnant, " she added.

Rosalind Bragg also called on the government officials to find "practical solutions" to the deteriorating problem.

"Action to protect women’s rights to work during their childbearing years is long overdue. The government needs to move beyond family-friendly rhetoric to delivering practical solutions to this widespread and growing problem,” she noted.

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