'Urgent action' needed for pregnant women in the workplace

20 Jun 2008

About 30,000 women are sacked, made redundant or leave their job every year due to pregnancy discrimination, it has been revealed.

Research by the Equal Opportunities Commission found that 5% felt under pressure to leave their job after announcing they were expecting.

The Commission called for urgent action to address the problem and has asked the government to provide more support in this area.

Chairwoman of the body Julie Mellor said: "Women should not be penalised simply for being pregnant.

"The impact on women, their partners and families, and on the health of their baby can be disastrous."

However, Ms Mellor added that employers are not solely to blame and the government needs to aid them in managing pregnancy.

A study by uSwitch.com recently found that the number of mothers who do not work has fallen by 24% over the last 15 years.

Please click here for pregnancy advice and pregnancy information.

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