A sharp increase in the number of women losing their jobs while pregnant or on maternity leave has been revealed in new research. According to a joint study by Pregnant Then Screwed and Women in Data, an estimated 74,000 women in the UK face job loss or redundancy during this period every year, marking a significant rise from previous years.
This troubling trend highlights the continuing struggles many women face in balancing career and family life.
Despite some legal protections, the reality remains that many mothers are unfairly pushed out of their jobs during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. The research paints a concerning picture of workplace discrimination and neglect of mothers’ rights.
A Disturbing Rise in Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination
According to the Independent, the new report, which surveyed 5,870 parents, reveals alarming statistics about workplace discrimination during pregnancy or maternity leave. Nearly 12.3% of women reported being fired, dismissed, or made redundant while pregnant, on maternity leave, or within a year of returning to work.
Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, stated that the increase in dismissals was not surprising but remains devastating. She emphasised that the organisation’s advice line is overwhelmed with requests for support from women facing similar issues. “To find that 74,000 mothers a year are being pushed out of their jobs for daring to procreate is not surprising, but it is devastating,” Brearley said.
In addition to the job losses, the study also found that 49.5% of women reported negative experiences at work while pregnant or on maternity leave. More than 35% said they had been demoted or sidelined during or after their maternity leave.
Legal Protections and What More Needs to Be Done
New laws introduced in April 2024 aimed to improve redundancy protections for pregnant women or those on maternity leave, yet advocates insist that more is needed. According to Brearley, the government needs to take further action to safeguard working mothers.
In 2016, a government report acknowledged the significant deterioration in maternity discrimination over the preceding decade. However, there have been no follow-up studies or improvements since, which Brearley argues reflects a lack of real commitment to addressing the issue.
The study also stresses the importance of companies taking more responsibility in creating family-friendly work environments, including offering better paternity leave, advertising flexible jobs, and collecting data on maternity retention.
