Stop pregnancy discrimination

Shhh...
30,000 women every year lose their jobs as a result of
becoming pregnant

This is illegal discrimination. It is against the law for an employee to be dismissed or given worse working conditions because they are pregnant or on maternity leave.

Recession is making things worse. A group of organisations has joined together to call on the Government to publicly state its commitment to preventing pregnancy discrimination at work during the recession, and to reassert that making a woman redundant because she is pregnant, on, or returning from  maternity leave is illegal and will not be tolerated.

Stop press – Campaign Success: the Equality Bill was amended during the Committee Stage to address the provision in the Bill which weakened the protection against discrimination for pregnant women and women on maternity leave.

The term 'less favourable' has been amended to 'unfavourable' in the context of pregnancy and maternity discrimination. It will now be clear beyond all doubt that a pregnant woman or a woman on maternity leave, for example, should not be treated unfavourably for those reasons.

For more information about pregnancy discrimination, including advice about your rights, where to find support, and how to take action, click on the link below.

About pregnancy discrimination
It is against the law for an employee to be dismissed or given worse working conditions because they are pregnant or on maternity leave.

Support for women at risk of pregnancy discrimination
Information on maternity rights and where to find advice and support if you are at risk of or a victim of pregnancy discrimination.

Take action against pregnancy discrimination
Sign our petition, send a template letter to your MP or join the Alliance Against Pregnancy Discrimination.

Real Mums' Stories
Read about the experiences of mothers who have suffered from pregnancy discrimination and poverty: Maria's story, Lorna's story, and Charlotte's story.

Share your story
Have you experienced pregnancy discrimination? Can you share your story? Tell us about it here. All identifying details will be kept strictly confidential.