Welcoming a baby and navigating parenthood is a challenge in itself, which is why finding out you’re facing redundancy from your job whilst on maternity leave is one of the most anxiety-inducing things that can happen to a new parent.
Indeed, research from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found that 54,000 women a year lose their job for getting pregnant. While three in four working mums say they have experienced pregnancy and maternity discrimination.
That’s exactly why we’re supporting – and celebrating the passing of – a Bill that will change the law to extend redundancy protections for expectant mums and new parents.
Dan Jarvis MP secured the backing of Government for his Private Members’ Bill, the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill, which will extend redundancy protections to help safeguard pregnant women at work and new mothers returning from maternity leave. The measures will also apply to workers on adoption leave and shared parental leave and stop them being the first to be laid off on their return to work. It’s a long over-due step towards guaranteeing families more dignity in the workplace.
The Bill will give the minister powers to extend regulation 10 of MAPLE protections to the period of a) pregnancy and b) the period after a new parent has returned to work (until the child is 18 months old).
Dan told GLAMOUR: “At the heart of this Bill are 54,000 women pushed out of the workforce each year simply for being pregnant. What new parents need is greater security in the workplace, but too often they are the first to be laid off. I’m proud this new legislation will make them the last.
“I want to thank all those who’ve supported the Bill including Unison, the TUC, Unite, the EHRC Fawcett Society, the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), the CBI, Working Families, and MumsNet.
“We are so close to getting this legislation over the line and I look to the Lords to continue this good work, don’t let it fail.”
As we continue to navigate the cost of living crisis, with reduced wages, extortionate childcare costs, and soaring inflation, a Bill like this (which offers mothers the protection they need and deserve) is absolutely paramount.
We will update this article with developments.