Pregnancy prejudice

Each year, about 30,000 working women are sacked, made redundant or leave their jobs due to pregnancy discrimination, according to alarming new research findings released last week by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

Of the 441,000 working women who fall pregnant each year, the EOC's research report reveals that:

almost half (45 per cent) of women who had worked while pregnant said they experienced some form of discrimination because of their pregnancy

a fifth (21 per cent) said they lost out financially due to discrimination

one in 20 (five per cent) were put under pressure to hand in their notice when they announced their pregnancy.

The results are released as the EOC launches its "Pregnant and Productive" campaign, calling for urgent action to end unlawful treatment of pregnant women at work.

Other research projects for the campaign have unearthed the many forms of pregnancy discrimination experienced by women across the country. These range from denial of promotion, bonuses and training opportunities and changes in job descriptions, to being left out of decisions and even verbal abuse.

The EOC's campaign emphasises that it doesn't have to be this way. The majority of employers are supportive of women during their pregnancy, and many are well aware of the business benefits of doing so. The EOC is working with employers and employees to find solutions to the problem.

Backing the campaign is mum and Olympic athlete Denise Lewis, who, herself, experienced problems with her coach when she announced she was pregnant with daughter Lauren.

Denise said: "I believe that women should not suffer at work just for being pregnant. For me, pregnancy was a short pit-stop and I always believed I would return to my career.

"Although some of the findings of this report are alarming, it's great that the investigation has exposed the scale of the problem. I would urge everybody to get behind the Pregnant and Productive campaign and pledge their support by visiting the website."

Julie Mellor, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, said: "Our findings make for shocking reading. Women should not be penalised simply for being pregnant. The impact on women, their partners and families, and on the health of their baby can be disastrous.

"Although some employers knowingly flout the law, many businesses do face genuine challenges in managing pregnancy and simply don't know what their responsibilities are or what help is available to them.

"We need urgent action from the Government to provide more information and support for pregnant employees and their employers." The EOC is calling for two main changes to help employers and employees manage pregnancy at work more effectively:

Government to provide a written statement of maternity rights and employer responsibilities to every pregnant woman, with a tear-off section for her to give to her employer

Government to give employers a "right to request" employees to indicate their planned return date much earlier during maternity leave where possible.

By visiting www.eoc.org.uk/pregnancy you can pledge your support and help build pressure to address the problem.