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Pregnancy Discrimination 'Must Be Tackled'

Discrimination against mothers at work is still a problem and "needs to be tackled", the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said.

Mark Hammond said the bias was "very concerning" as he launched an EHRC review into pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace.

Experts will investigate employers' practices towards workers who are pregnant or on maternity leave, and these employees' experiences.

Mr Hammond said: "It is very concerning that in 2013 a number of women are still being disadvantaged in the workplace just because they are pregnant.

"That would be unlawful discrimination and needs to be tackled.

"We will look at existing research, gather new evidence and carry out our expert analysis to establish the extent of the problem and advise on how best it can to be addressed."

Campaigners said discrimination had been on the rise during the economic downturn as businesses have struggled to cope with a difficult financial climate.

Rosalind Bragg, director of charity Maternity Action, said: "It is important that the Government does not weaken the law on pregnancy discrimination but instead focuses on employer compliance.

"The principles of non-discrimination were established decades ago and should be accepted as an essential part of the business environment.

"Since the economic downturn began, pregnant women and new mothers have faced an increasingly difficult time in the workplace.

"Unfair and unlawful treatment of new mothers is widespread and action is urgently needed.

"Pregnancy discrimination imposes major costs on new families at a time when they are least able to handle additional financial stress."

Employment lawyer Kiran Daurka, of Slater & Gordon, said: "We are delighted to hear that the EHRC is to undertake some very important and much needed work around maternity discrimination.

"Following our own findings over the summer, which revealed that more than a quarter of mothers feel discriminated against, it is clear that urgent action is needed to protect pregnant employees and those returning from maternity leave."

Gloria De Piero MP, Labour's shadow minister for women and equalities, claimed Government policies had cut financial support for mothers and made it more difficult to challenge discrimination at work.

She said: "Labour has been calling on the Government for months to properly investigate the extent of pregnancy discrimination, so this is welcome news.

"It is shocking that three years after Labour made pregnancy discrimination illegal, so many women are still losing their jobs or finding they have been sidelined after taking maternity leave."