30,000 women every year lose their jobs as a result of becoming pregnant

21 May 2009

This is illegal discrimination. It is against the law for an employee to be dismissed or given worse working conditions because they are pregnant or on maternity leave.

It can be particularly hard if you’re pregnant and on your own and recession is making things worse.  A group of organisations has joined together to call on the Government to publicly state its commitment to preventing pregnancy discrimination at work during the recession and to reassert that making a woman redundant because she is pregnant, on, or returning from  maternity leave is illegal and will not be tolerated.

Stop press – we have just heard that the new Equality Bill may actually weaken the protection for pregnant women in the workplace so are lobbying to get this put right.

For more information about pregnancy discrimination, including advice about your rights, where to find support, and how to take action, click on the link below.