A leading employment rights lawyer is calling for better legal representation and consideration for pregnant women and those on maternity leave.
The report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found that three-quarters of pregnant women and new mothers experience discrimination at work and one in nine lose their job as a result.
Danielle Ayres, from Gorvins Solicitors, was involved in the EHRC report and describes the current system as ‘shockingly archaic’.
The report also suggests that pregnancy discrimination, which is illegal, has risen significantly since 2005, when 45% of women said they had experienced such discrimination.
The research found one in five mothers said they experienced harassment or negative comments in the workplace related to pregnancy or flexible working and one in 10 said they were discouraged from attending antenatal appointments.
Danielle works in all areas of discrimination against women in the workplace and has represented countless clients who have suffered this way.
She said: “The findings of the report reveal the shockingly archaic state of the system when it comes to pregnant women or those on maternity leave pursuing their rights in the face of discrimination.
“Women shouldn’t be prevented from pursuing their rights through to a tribunal because of cost – yet they are.
“There should be an extension of the three-month limitation date for claims. And there should be better access to free legal advice.
“The law surrounding pregnancy and maternity discrimination is already complex.
“But there needs to be consideration for the fact that pregnant women or new mothers may be too exhausted due to an impending or recent birth to focus on their rights.
“These women need time to collect their thoughts and consider their position.
“Many women I speak to also find they are too late to make a claim because they have spent the time exhausting lengthy internal procedures for fear of the negative repercussions in bringing a claim.
“There are so many ways, as the report highlights, which show how those on maternity leave are discriminated against – from not being informed about promotion opportunities or denied training opportunities to being threatened with dismissal, actually being dismissed or feeling they have to hand their notice in.
“It is appalling that such issues continue to prevail for women in the workplace and the system urgently needs an overhaul to prevent the recurrence of injustices.”