Pregnant women and new mothers could receive extra workplace rights

Do you feel as though you have suffered from 'maternity discrimination'?

pregnant-maternity-discrimination-workplace

by Emma Dodds |
Published on

Women who become pregnant or return to work after maternity leave may be entitled to more rights, according to the government.

Margot James, the MP for Stourbridge and Business Minister, has launched a consultation which will happen "in due course" to "strengthen" the current law and hopefully reduce 'maternity discrimination'.

Maternity discrimination is when you're treated unfairly because you're pregnant, breastfeeding or because you've recently given birth, according to Citizen's Advice.

Ms. James, 59, from Coventry, said: "There should be zero tolerance of discrimination against pregnant women, or women who have just given birth.

"That's why today we are committing to making sure new and expectant mothers have sufficient protections from redundancy."

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Have you ever been a victim of maternity discrimination at work? Get in touch via Facebook and Twitter (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

These recommendations come from MPs after last August's Women and Equalities Committee, which is a group of parliamentary figures who "examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Government Equalities Office on equalities issues".

But - this will not mean that women who feel they are being mistreated at work as a result of either becoming pregnant or returning to work after maternity leave extra time to take their cases to an employment tribunal. The current time limit is three months to bring a case.

If you have experienced 'maternity discrimination' - felt you were treated differently or with less importance after you'd become pregnant or returned to work from maternity leave - we'd love to speak to you. Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

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