New plans are under consultation to provide pregnant women and parents returning to the workplace with greater legal safeguards.
The plans being proposed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) look to provide greater legal protection than what is currently outlined in the Maternity and Paternity Leave Regulations 1999. The plans under consultation would protect new mums for six months after they have they returned to employment.
The plans could also provide greater employment security for new dads, returning from adoption or shared parental leave.
Current UK Pregnancy And Maternity Employment Rights
Currently, UK law provides a protected period which commences from the beginning of a pregnancy until the woman returns to the workplace (after having been on maternity leave). If the woman is not eligible for maternity leave, then her legally protected period is two weeks after the end of her pregnancy.
During this protected period, a woman would be protected against suffering any unfavourable treatment because of being pregnant or on maternity leave.
Study
The plans under consultation are supported by a 2016 study, undertaken by the BEIS and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which found that one in nine women had been fired or made redundant after they had returned to work after having a child, or felt that they had been discriminated against which then forced them to leave their employment.
Additionally, the study also stated that potentially 54,000 women could lose their jobs due to pregnancy or maternity each year.
Prime Minister, Theresa May, commented:
“People in this country already benefit from some of the most rigorous workplace standards in the world, including parental leave and pay entitlements, but we are determined to do even more as we leave the EU.
“It’s unacceptable that too many parents still encounter difficulties when returning to work. Today’s proposals are set to provide greater protection for new parents in the workplace, and put their minds at ease at this important time.”
How Can Nelsons Help?
Laura Evans is specialist Employment Solicitor at Nelsons.
If you believe you have experienced maternity or pregnancy discrimination, or would like advice regarding these issues, please contact us to speak to a member of our employment law team on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.