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Pregnancy and maternity discrimination

The law relating to pregnancy and maternity discrimination is governed by the Equality Act 2010. The core provisions of the Equality Act 2010, which repealed the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, came into force on 1 October 2010. While the Equality Act 2010 largely consolidated previous discrimination legislation, it also designated pregnancy and maternity as a protected characteristic in its own right.

The Equality Act 2010 specifically protects women against direct discrimination and victimisation because of the protected characteristic of pregnancy and maternity. While there are no specific provisions in the Equality Act 2010 for indirect discrimination and harassment in relation to pregnancy and maternity, a woman can claim sex discrimination in these cases. For example, many indirect sex discrimination cases are connected with the refusal of employers to allow women returning from maternity leave to work part time.


    • Age discrimination
    • Latest News
    • Discrimination

    A sixth of redundant staff say they were selected for being a parent

    by Ashleigh Webber 28 Jan 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 28 Jan 2021

    Law firm Slater and Gordon says some redundancy selection processes are unfair and employers are unlawfully making decisions based on protected characteristics.

    • Collective redundancy
    • Reasonable adjustments
    • Acas

    Top 10 Covid-related claims employers could face in 2021

    by Stephen Simpson 4 Dec 2020
    by Stephen Simpson 4 Dec 2020

    The Government’s furlough scheme, large-scale redundancies, safe working concerns and the rise of flexible working will have a big impact...

    • Coronavirus
    • Carers
    • Gender

    Equal Pay Day: pandemic put gender equality at a crossroads

    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Nov 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Nov 2020

    The UK has arrived at a crossroads at which progress in gender equality could either be set back decades, or...

    • Financial services
    • Gender
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    UK banks increase number of female board members

    by Adam McCulloch 18 Aug 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 18 Aug 2020

    The proportion of women employed on the boards of banks in the UK has risen 9% since 2015, compared with a 2% increase in Europe.

    • Coronavirus
    • Latest News
    • Maternity

    Ensure women do not lose out on maternity pay, say Labour

    by Jo Faragher 12 Aug 2020
    by Jo Faragher 12 Aug 2020

    The Labour party has called for the government to take urgent action to ensure that those who have been pregnant...

    • Coronavirus
    • Agency workers
    • Hospitality

    ‘Alarm’ over gaps in worker support goes unheeded say MPs

    by Rob Moss 29 Jul 2020
    by Rob Moss 29 Jul 2020

    Repeatedly raised concerns over gaps in support for workers and businesses during the coronavirus crisis continue to go unheeded, a...

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Gender
    • Latest News

    Lack of women in top roles sees leading firms miss out on profits

    by Adam McCulloch 27 Jul 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 27 Jul 2020

    FTSE 350 companies are missing out on sizeable profits through a failure to appoint more women to key executive roles.

    • Coronavirus
    • Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
    • Maternity

    MP’s bid to protect women from unfair redundancy gets over first hurdle

    by Adam McCulloch 10 Jul 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 10 Jul 2020

    Maria Miller's proposals aim to bolster rights of women on maternity leave, who are often considered an easy target for redundancy.

    • Childcare
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Shared parental leave

    Top UK employers urged to disclose parental leave and pay

    by Adam McCulloch 6 Jul 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 6 Jul 2020

    Employers warned they could lose out on the best talent if they do not include transparency over family friendly working arrangements.

    • Financial services
    • Maternity
    • Latest News

    Worker awarded compensation after missed antenatal check-up

    by Adam McCulloch 15 Jun 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 15 Jun 2020

    IT finance analyst is awarded £4,000 in a case involving attitudes to sickness, workloads, mental health and pregnancy.

    • Employment law
    • Maternity
    • Latest News

    Maternity leave and furlough: what options do HR have?

    by Beverley Sunderland 5 May 2020
    by Beverley Sunderland 5 May 2020

    The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme rules are complicated enough, without the added layer of complexity surrounding maternity leave and new...

    • Financial penalties
    • Latest News
    • Dismissal

    Law firm employee dismissed because she was pregnant awarded £23k

    by Ashleigh Webber 21 Apr 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 21 Apr 2020

    A law firm has been ordered to pay more than £23,000 for pregnancy discrimination after it sacked a pregnant employee...

    • Case law
    • Latest News
    • Pregnancy and maternity discrimination

    Liz Earle Beauty Company adopted discriminatory redundancy process for pregnant worker

    by Ashleigh Webber 8 Apr 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 8 Apr 2020

    The Liz Earle Beauty Company must pay a former employee more than £17,000 for pregnancy and maternity discrimination, after it...

    • Coronavirus
    • Childcare
    • Carers

    Top 10 HR questions March 2020: Coronavirus

    by Brightmine 2 Apr 2020
    by Brightmine 2 Apr 2020

    The coronavirus pandemic dominated the top 10 most popular FAQs in March.
    The coronavirus outbreak is having a big impact...

    • Maternity
    • Latest News
    • Pregnancy and maternity discrimination

    Sacked pregnant worker wins £17k compensation from Liz Earle Beauty Company

    by Ashleigh Webber 10 Jan 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 10 Jan 2020

    Helen Larkin was made redundant at eight months' pregnant.

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