Job security for new mothers
MOTHERS returning to work will be protected from redundancy for six months under new plans announced by the Government.
One in nine women said they were fired or made redundant when they came back to work after having a child, or were treated so badly they felt forced out of their job, according to research by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Each year, 54,000 women may lose their jobs due to pregnancy or maternity leave, the study suggested. At present the law provides two weeks’ protection when women return to work.
Today the Government launches a consultation to extend this to six months for mothers, fathers using shared parental leave and parents who take leave after adopting a child.
The Daily Telegraph’s Women Mean
Business campaign has highlighted issues faced by working women, including discrimination for pregnant women and mothers returning to work.
Kelly Tolhurst, the business minister spearheading the plans, said: “Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is illegal, but some new mothers still find unacceptable attitudes on their return to work.
“Bringing a child into this world can be one of the most rewarding moments in life and it is only right mothers have the job security they deserve to continue providing for their families.”
The consultation, which will run for 10 weeks, will also look at extending the time limit that an employee can make a tribunal claim, which is currently limited to three months.
Theresa May, the Prime Minister, said: “It is unacceptable that too many parents still encounter difficulties returning to work. Today’s proposals are set to provide greater protection for parents in the workplace, and put their minds at ease at this important time.
“This goes further than EU requirements on maternity entitlements and parental leave, showing that the UK is going even further in its commitment to workers’ rights and meeting challenges of the changing world of work.”
The Government will also consider recommendations made by the women and equalities select committee.
Last year, 96 per cent of women surveyed by Mumsnet said having children affected mothers’ careers for the worse.
Jane van Zyl, the chief executive of the Working Families charity, said: “We hear from women struggling with pregnancy and maternity discrimination every single day on our helpline. But pregnancy and maternity discrimination isn’t just bad news for families; it’s also bad news for the economy.”
As part of the consultation, the Government will aim to raise awareness with businesses about employees’ rights and ways in which tackling maternity and pregnancy discrimination could also be improved.
Josh Hardie, the deputy directorgeneral of the Confederation of British Industry, said: “Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is totally unacceptable. Providing the right environment for parents to return to work and develop their careers should be high on the list of employers’ priorities.”