Good News If You’re Pregnant Or A New Mum And Worried About Returning To Work

Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, welcomed the proposals. “In a 2018 survey, 96% of women we surveyed said having children affected mothers’ careers for the worse,” she said. 

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

However others, such as Joeli Brearley, founder of campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, warned the proposals won’t necessarily help pregnant women being targeted – claiming one in 20 mothers are already made redundant either during pregnancy, whilst off on leave, or immediately after returning to work.

She said it was less a problem with the law, than with tackling problems such as childcare expenses and a lack of flexible working. “More mothers are made redundant when the enhanced protections already exist than when they don’t, proving that the enhanced protections which are already in place are not working, so what is the point of extending them?” she said.

Brearley added that until we create a society where women can be both the “bread winner and care giver”, we will never reduce discrimination in the workplace. 

There will now be a 10-week consultation on the proposals.