Mind The Bump 2015 – A Campaign To Stamp Out Pregnancy & Maternity Discrimination
Free Legal Advice For Employees and Employers on Pregnancy and Maternity Rights At Work.
This October we are launching ‘Mind the Bump 2015’, a Campaign to stamp out Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination in the Workplace.
The campaign includes a free telephone advice service for employers and employees concerned about the workplace rights of pregnant women and women on maternity leave.
Fiona Martin, Head of Employment Law at Martin Searle Solicitors, was invited to comment on this on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, following the survey of over 3,200 women.
Fiona Martin says: “Our first pregnancy and maternity discrimination campaign in 2005 was a result of the Equal Opportunities Commission’s research. This estimated that 30,000 mothers (7%) were forced out of their jobs each year. The latest research from the Equality & Human Rights Commission suggests that around 54,000 new mothers may be forced out of their jobs in Britain each year.
“This shows that despite our and other organisations campaigning to prevent pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace, this continues to be a major problem and blights the careers of many women. We are still encountering pregnancy and maternity discrimination on a weekly basis.”
Throughout October expert employment lawyers will provide free advice on pregnancy and maternity rights and responsibilities, maternity leave and return to work issues.
Fiona continues: “Equality in the workplace underpins good employment relations and ensures fairness. Employment legislation is there to prevent negative behaviour towards pregnant women and provide a level playing field. Unfortunately, too many employers are paying the price for ignoring the law.”
To support the campaign, we have also produced a series of factsheets, case studies and FAQs for employers and employees covering basic pregnancy and maternity rights in the workplace, returning to work after maternity, as well as avoiding pregnancy discrimination in a redundancy process.
For free and confidential advice, employers and employees can call Martin Searle Solicitors’ pregnancy and maternity legal helpline Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October from 4pm to 6pm on 01273 609911, or email info@ms-solicitors.co.uk.
