In the UK citizens
Advice said it had seen a twenty-five percent increase in the number of people
asking for advice on pregnancy and maternity issues in the past year, with more
than 22,000 visits to its website.
The discrimination against
pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace is increasing, with a report
saying that some women are having their hours cut, being put on zero hours
contracts or even forced out of their jobs.
One case was of a woman who
asked the charity for help after her employer cut her weekly hours by more than
half after she told them she was pregnant.
While her boss claimed
there was simply not enough work available, he had also been taking on new
staff.
Another woman had her
contract ended while she was on maternity leave, only finding out after she
contacted her employer to ask why she had received no maternity pay.
Citizens Advice chief
executive Gillian Guy said: "Pregnant women should be supported at work,
not made to fear for their livelihood.
"It is concerning that
more and more new and expectant mums are experiencing discrimination issues at
work.
"People with a baby on
the way will have a lot on their minds already.
"The last thing they
need is a threat to their income or job security.
"All employers should
respect and uphold the rights of staff who are new parents or expecting a
baby."
A Government spokesman said
that discrimination was "unlawful and completely unacceptable".
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