The Women and Equalities Select Committee has produced several recommendations for the Government to tackle workplace discrimination of pregnant women and mothers following an inquiry into the issue.
The Committee has demanded urgent action, calling on the Government to publish an ambitious, detailed plan within the next two years or risk a further rise in pregnant women and mothers being forced out of their work.
Recommendations include changes to health and safety practices, preventing discriminatory redundancies and an increase in protection for casual, agency and zero-hours workers.
Ben Howlett, Member of Parliament for Bath and a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, commented: “Sadly, rather than seeing progress on this, Government research shows that discrimination is actually increasing.
“The arrival of a new baby is often when families face their greatest financial pressures and it is shocking that so many employers are not providing a supportive workplace at a difficult time.
“But this is also bad for our economy. Not keeping women in work means that we are not making the most of our labour potential and damaging our productivity.
“I urge the Government to look at the Committee’s recommendations and urgently draw up a comprehensive strategy to tackle this problem.”
