Employers unclear on pregnancy entitlements, warns EOC

Tuesday, 10 August 2004 12:00 AM

According to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) many employers are unclear about the rights of pregnant employees within the work place.

Preliminary results from the EOC reveal that most employers are generally positive about pregnancy in the work place, but a significant minority (28 per cent) believed that it was not worth training someone who is pregnant as she may not return to work.

The EOC point out that the denial of training on the grounds of pregnancy is against the law

Tuesday's statistics come as the EOC prepares to launch a consultation with employers to gauge their views "on how managing pregnancy at work could be made easier for Britain's firms" as part of their first ever investigation into pregnancy discrimination in the work place.

Over the years many women have complained of unfair treatment during pregnancy and being prevented from returning to the same job after maternity leave, but these complaints have never been statistically assessed.

The EOC receives more calls to its helpline about pregnancy discrimination than any other issue, and research released in February revealed around 1000 women each year take pregnancy discrimination cases to employment tribunals.

Today's interim survey found that large companies with a predominantly female workforce and recent experience of pregnancy had the most positive views towards pregnancy at work. 77 per cent of large scale employers had guidance to managers relating to pregnancy in the work place, compared with 19 per cent of small work places.

Around a quarter of employers were unable to cite any statutory entitlement that pregnant women are entitled to, with this more likely to be the case in small workplace or those with a mostly male workforce.

For those that could, maternity leave and pay were the two most commonly known.

The deputy chair of the EOC, Jenny Watson, said: "Many organisations do handle pregnancy positively and as a result see business benefits, such as better retention rates and increased productivity.

"Yet the results of our new research suggest that significant numbers of employers have limited knowledge of the law, which may be preventing them from managing pregnancy effectively.

"Our consultation gives employers a chance to have their say. We want to hear from them about what would be of most help in managing pregnancy. For example, we want to know whether they think the law is currently too complex, whether they need more accessible information and advice or whether more help with the financial costs of managing pregnant employees is their top priority."

A full report on pregnancy discrimination at work is due to be published by the EOC this autumn.

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