Pregnant Women denied Dismissal rights

21 March, 2001 THOUSANDS of British women are being illegally sacked or threatened with the sack simply because they are pregnant, a report has claimed. The Birth Rights Report, compiled by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) found that thousands of women a year face losing their job simply because they are pregnant. NACAB’s findings include:

• many employers fail to offer current statutory support, through ignorance, worry or on purpose
• many parents who miss out are low-paid, low-skilled and work for small companies
• some pregnant women have been forced to cut back their hours
• others were not allowed time off for antenatal appointments
• jobs were not being kept open despite the right to this, or hours and pay were cut
• men are being told they do not have the right to parental leave, or that the rules don’t apply to their company

NACAB is calling for a Fair Employment Commission, to offer support to both parents and employers. It is also calling for a statutory right for new parents to work “child-friendly” hours after the birth of a child or an adoption. Have your say on this story on our Views on the News or General Pregnancy discussion boards.