Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

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There is growing concern that pregnancy discrimination is on the rise following the economic
downturn. Research 78 has found that one in seven women are made redundant after maternity
leave and UK national helplines, law firms and NGOs have reported increased numbers of
complaints relating to pregnancy discrimination and redundancy. 79 For example, Maternity
Action 80 found that demand for its web-based information about maternity rights grew 110% in
2011 and the number of women calling for advice more than doubled. However, the Government
has cut funding to projects raising awareness about maternity rights, as well as to legal aid. 81 (See
Appendix: 28)
Recommendations:
• Maternity leave needs to be ring-fenced for mothers for at least the first six
months with better pay arrangements to enable optimum health and wellbeing
outcomes
• The Government should take urgent action to reduce the incidence of pregnancy
discrimination. This requires awareness raising amongst employers about
their legal obligations and amongst women about their rights. It is important
that women have support to pursue legal action against employers who behave
unlawfully
Breastfeeding
The UK has no statutory right to breastfeed on return to work. This is inconsistent with World
Health Organisation and Department of Health recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding
for the first six months and stands in stark contrast with clear legal protection in the Equality Act
for women who breastfeed in public places.
Recommendations:
• Introduce a statutory right to paid breastfeeding breaks and the provision of
facilities to support breastfeeding and expressing breast milk
• The Department of Health should implement the recommendations in the Public
Health white paper Healthy Lives Healthy People to encourage employers to
implement breastfeeding-friendly employment policies
Access to employment rights
There are also concerns about women’s access to employment rights as cuts to legal aid
and changes to the employment tribunal process 82 will limit women’s ability to seek redress
for discrimination in employment, although this continues to occur. (See Appendix: 28 for
further information)
78. Slater and Gordon (2013) ‘Press Release: No Mother’s Day celebration for women returning from maternity leave’, Slater and Gordon
website, 10th March 2013 http://tinyurl.com/bnq5qyj
79. Working Families (2009) Report of Working Families Helpline 2009 and Working Families (2010) Report of Working Families
help line 2010 http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/shop and Alliance Against Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace (2009)
Pregnant women and new mums at risk of redundancy http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/
allianceagainstpregnancydiscrimination.pdf
80. Maternity Action http://www.maternityaction.org.uk Accessed: 13/04/13
81. Valuing Maternity http://valuingmaternity.org/ Accessed: 13/04/13
82. XpertHR, Settlement provisions and employment tribunal system to be reformed http://www.xperthr.co.uk/article/107972/employmenttribunal-system-to-be-reformed.aspx?mid=35,35
Accessed: 16/04/13
106 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013