Pregnant women to receive better workplace protection under new anti-discrimination plans

'It’s unacceptable that too many parents still encounter difficulties when returning to work'

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Women who return to work after maternity leave will receive better job protection under new government proposals created to combat workplace discrimination.

The consultation suggests that legal protection against redundancy for new mothers should be extended for up to six months - current measures only offer such protection for two weeks.

These rights may also be applied to new parents returning from shared parental leave and those who’ve taken leave after adopting a child.

Theresa May said: “People in this country already benefit from some of the most rigorous workplace standards in the world, including parental leave and pay entitlements, but we are determined to do even more as we leave the EU.”

The plans come after a study commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) found that one in nine women have been fired after returning to work from maternity leave.

In some cases, these women felt they’d been treated so poorly that they’d been forced out of their jobs, or they’d been made redundant.

The study calculated that these things had happened to roughly 54,000 women each year in the UK.

It also found that one in five mothers said they had experienced harassment or negative comments related to pregnancy at work.

“It’s unacceptable that too many parents still encounter difficulties when returning to work,” May added.

“Today’s proposals are set to provide greater protection for new parents in the workplace, and put their minds at ease at this important time.”

The consultation has been welcomed by many. Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, has said that a lot of her website’s users have posted stories of pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work.

“It’s a multifaceted problem requiring a change in attitude and culture as well as legislation,” she said, “but stronger legal protection is a very welcome first step.”

Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst added: “Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is illegal. But some new mothers still find unacceptable attitudes on their return to work which effectively forces them out of their jobs.

“Through the modern Industrial Strategy and the largest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation, the government is building an economy that ensures everyone can progress at work.

"That’s why we are looking at ways to further protect new parents by giving them time to re-establish themselves in the workplace and show the value they bring to their employers.”