Pregnant workers to get greater job security

Female therapists and hairdressers who are pregnant or have recently become mothers are set to receive greater protection from redundancy, with new government plans revealed.

A consultation has commenced which proposes that current legal protection which covers pregnant women and new mothers on maternity leave is extended to continue for up to six months after they return to work. Parents returning from shared parental leave or adoption leave would also be covered under the new proposal.

Currently, one in nine women said they had been made redundant or fired from their jobs after having a child, or treated so badly they were forced to quit their jobs, according to research commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). 

Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst says:

“Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is illegal. But some new mothers still find unacceptable attitudes on their return to work which effectively forces them out of their jobs.”

Commenting on the proposal, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“It's unacceptable that too many parents still encounter difficulties when returning to work. [These] proposals are set to provide greater protection for new parents in the workplace, and put their minds at ease at this important time.”

You can have your say on the proposal during the consultation period online.