UK: MPs call for new employment safeguards amid reports of pregnancy discrimination

The UK House of Commons’ Women and Equalities Committee has called for women in the UK to have protections similar to those in Germany after a “shocking” increase in workplace pregnancy discrimination over the past decade.

The committee’s report recommends changes to health and safety practices, preventing discriminatory redundancies and an increase in protection for casual, agency and zero-hours workers.

Research carried out by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) revealed that pregnant women and mothers now face more discrimination at work than they did a decade ago.

Eleven per cent of women reported being either dismissed, made compulsorily redundant when others in their workplace were not, or treated so poorly they felt they had to leave their job. The committee’s report urges the government to change the law to give new and expectant mothers additional protection from redundancy. It recommends implementation of a system similar to that used in Germany under which such women can be made redundant only in specified circumstances.

Committee chair Maria Miller said: “It is difficult to accept the EHRC and government’s characterisation of this as merely about enforcement and we are persuaded by the evidence that additional protections against discriminatory redundancies are needed.”

The committee also heard evidence that there is a clear need for new and expectant mothers who are casual, agency and zero-hours workers to be properly protected. The committee found that women in this group are more likely to report a risk or impact to their health and welfare than other types of worker; more likely to leave their employer as a result of health and safety risks not being resolved; and less likely to feel confident about challenging discriminatory behaviour.

Ms Miller added: “We heard concerning evidence about the experiences of pregnant casual, agency and zero hours workers. While we understand the reason they do not have the same day one rights as employees, employers should not be able to avoid affording regular, long-term workers the same basic rights as employees because they have a different contract type.”

The committee recommended that paid time off for antenatal appointments is extended to all workers after a short qualifying period and that the government urgently review the pregnancy and maternity-related rights available to casual, agency and zero-hours workers.

Caroline Waters, deputy chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “This important report shines a light on an issue of increasing concern. We urge the government to raise its game and work with greater vigour to tackle the problem or risk hundreds of thousands of women continuing to suffer discrimination at work every year.

“We are pleased the committee has adopted our recommendations to improve access to justice calling for an extension on the three month time limit for tribunal claims, and tackling the barriers caused by high tribunal fees.

“We also support the call for stronger day one rights for parents such employers offering all jobs flexibly unless there is a reasonable justification not to.”