Increased protection in the near future for pregnant women and new mothers?
The Women and Equalities Select Committee has recently issued a new report on pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace, calling for increased protection to apply to pregnant women and new mothers.
The report calls on the Government to take urgent action within the next two years to prevent a further rise in the numbers of pregnant women and mothers being forced out of the workplace. Key recommendations in the report include:
- giving new and expectant mothers additional protection from redundancy
- increasing the time limit for bringing claims for pregnancy and maternity discrimination from three to six months, and reducing the level of tribunal fees for discrimination claims
- extending maternity-related rights to casual, agency and zero-hours workers, including paid time off for antenatal appointments.
The report also recommends improved health and safety protections, including a requirement for employers to undertake an individual risk assessment for any worker who is pregnant, has given birth in the past six months or is breastfeeding.
A copy of the report is available here
Comment. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of this report. Watch this space after the Government has provided its response, detailing any proposals it intends to take forward.
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