What is Pregnancy Discrimination?
It refers to a situation where you’re given less priority than other employees because you’re pregnant.
For example,
An employer treats you unfairly just because you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or because you’ve recently given birth. In such a case, you may be believed to be discriminated against.
The Equality Act 2010
According to the Equality Act 2010, this is pregnancy and maternity discrimination. It says that no one can discriminate against unfair treatment and dismiss you because of your pregnancy.
Types of Pregnancy Discrimination
1. Unfavourable Treatment – In this type of treatment:
- A pregnant woman:
- is protected against unfavourable treatment
- as an employee or job applicant, can’t face a disadvantage
- can’t meet any unwanted behaviour nor be treated unfairly.
2. Victimisation –
- An employee during her pregnancy becomes a victim of harm, suffering from damage, or loss just because she supports a complaint of discrimination.
- She suffers a loss just because she becomes evidence of a complaint about discrimination.
As an employee or job applicant, you have the right to:
- care for yourself and your baby
- reasonable paid time off work duties for your antenatal care
- receive protection against unfair dismissal, treatment
- take 52 weeks of maternity leave and be paid
If you’ve been discriminated against, it’s advisable to find an experienced law solicitor and file a suit against your employer.
Tom Street qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and has over 20 years experience in employment and litigation law. He studied law at the University of Manchester before undertaking the legal practice course at the College of Law in Guildford, going on to complete his legal training at a firm in Chancery Lane, London. Once fully qualified, he moved to a niche litigation practice in the City of London.
In 2010, Tom set up his own legal practice, Tom Street & Co Solicitors and as part of this, in accordance with his strongly held objective to provide everyone with an easy pathway to justice he established the online portals Do I Have A Case? and Tribunal Claim. These websites are trading names of Tom Street & Co Solicitors.