Recent research from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) reveals that women are still suffering significant levels of discrimination and inequality at work.

Two separate reports have been published. Sex and power: who runs Britain? 2005 revealed that employers are not adopting flexible enough working practices and are failing to recognise women’s responsibilities away from their jobs.

A second, more recent survey, of pregnant working women, meanwhile, suggests that almost half are forced to endure some form of discrimination. Most shocking of all, one in five respondents said that they had felt pressure to resign shortly after announcing their pregnancy.

These disturbing statistics have led the EOC to launch its Pregnant and Productive campaign, which is backed by Olympic gold medallist and mother Denise Lewis.

‘Although some employers knowingly flout the law, many businesses do face genuine challenges in managing pregnancy and simply don’t know what their responsibilities are or what help is available to them,’ commented Julie Mellor, chair of the EOC. ‘We need urgent action from the Government to provide more information and support for pregnant employees and their employers.’

It is a view echoed by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). ‘Mothers and pregnant women can experience discrimination in the workplace, but employers find administering maternity rights a headache. The system needs an urgent overhaul,’ chimed Peter Firth, the FSB’s representative on the EOC’s pregnancy taskforce.

The FSB is calling for two changes to maternity leave legislation. Firstly, it wants mothers absent through maternity leave to update their employers on a monthly basis with regard to if and when they intend to return to work. This would be a change to the current law, which bans employers from asking mothers when they expect to return.

The second request is for the Government to pay Statutory Maternity Pay directly to mothers.

For further information visit:

• The Equal Opportunities Commission
• Federation of Small Businesses