Pregnancy and maternity discrimination examined

• Watch Parliament TV: Pregnancy and maternity discrimination
• Inquiry: Pregnancy and maternity discrimination
• Women and Equalities Committee

Witnesses

Tuesday 22 March 2016, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House

At 10.00am

• Catherine Rayner, Chair, Discrimination Law Association, and Barrister
• Rosalind Bragg, Director, Maternity Action
• Elizabeth Duff, Senior Policy Adviser, The National Childbirth Trust

Background

• Pregnancy and Maternity-Related Discrimination and Disadvantage First findings: Surveys of Employers and Mothers

The Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published first findings of research in October 2015. The views of over 3,000 women and 3,000 employers were sought for this research, making it the largest survey of its kind.

Key findings include:

• 10% of women surveyed were discouraged from attending antenatal appointments by their employer
• 7% said they were put under pressure to hand in their notice
• One in five new mothers reported experience of harassment or negative comments from colleagues, employers or managers when pregnant or returning from maternity leave

Publication of the final report has been repeatedly delayed and the date of publication is yet to be confirmed.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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