23 September 2003

KEEBLE HAWSON

E-MAIL UPDATE

PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION

On 1 September 2003 the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) launched the first ever nationwide research into discrimination faced by pregnant women at work. The EOC helpline receives more calls on pregnancy and maternity issues than any other matter. Research commissioned last year revealed that pregnant women still experience problems at work despite the protection afforded to them by various legislative provisions.

The research showed that women experience problems with both large and small employers across areas such as dismissal, promotion, salary, change of hours and disciplinary action about performance. Many pregnant women who leave the workplace struggle to return to their pre-maternity status.

This new research aims to discover the true extent of the problem:

· How many women are affected?

· The impact on their lives, families and future employment.

· The issues and concerns that employers have.

· What can be done to make pregnancy a positive experience in the workplace?

The Advisory Board includes representatives from the TUC, Sainsbury's, BT, the legal profession and women who have suffered discrimination at work. Following the research recommendations will be made to Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in February 2005.

Further information can be found on www.eoc.org.uk <http://www.eoc.org.uk>. If you need any further advice or information on this or any other employment issue, please contact:

Paul Grindley
0113 399 3494
paulgrindley@keeblehawson.co.uk <mailto:paulgrindley@keeblehawson.co.uk>

Sarah Hall
0114 290 6329
sarahhall@keeblehawson.co.uk <mailto:sarahhall@keeblehawson.co.uk>

www.keeblehawson.co.uk

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