Women 'still losing jobs due to pregnancy'

Pregnant women are being forced out of their jobs as part of the worst alleged gender discrimination in the North, it was claimed today.

With one victim awarded £10,000 (€14,700) compensation after a disputed dismissal, the Equality Commission hit out at some bosses’ attitudes.

Chief executive Evelyn Collins said: “It is outrageous that we must mark the seventh International Women’s Day in the 21st century by recording that women are still being penalised in the workplace because they are pregnant.

“Even though many employers have now got equal opportunities in place dealing with issues of pregnancy, work/life balance and flexible working, the commission is still confronted by cases where employers treat pregnant employees unfairly, even to the extent of dismissal.”

The watchdog, which warned firms it was illegal to discriminate against women on pregnancy grounds, revealed the scale of the discrimination during the last two years.

Between April 2005 and February 2007 the commission received 1,782 inquiries or complaints on gender-related cases.

Out of these 230 (13%) were on pregnancy or maternity-related issues, more than any other in that area of its work.

In one case Elaine Morgan, 29, a manager at Birdies Day Nursery in Lisburn, Co Antrim, alleged she was treated less favourably due to her pregnancy.

The situation culminated in her dismissal in 2005 just after she informed the company she was pregnant.

Although the nursery claimed she was made redundant, Ms Morgan, from Antrim, was awarded £10,000 (€14,700) in an out-of-court settlement in January without any admission of liability.

The mother of three, who is now expecting a fourth child, was restricted in her comments under the terms of the settlement.

She said: “There are employers out there who are fair, but definitely others do discriminate against pregnant women.

“It’s all about staffing issues and paying money.”

The nursery agreed to review its policies, practices and procedures to ensure they conformed with the Sex Discrimination Order.

As it urged employers to give expectant mothers the same entitlements as other staff, the commission stressed they should carry out risk assessment to identify any risk to pregnant employees health or that of their children.

It also insisted employees must get paid time off to attend ante-natal appointments, and plan properly for up to 52 weeks' maternity leave.

Ms Collins added: “The commission is currently assisting further cases brought by women alleging discrimination on grounds of pregnancy.

“We are doing this to drive home the point that employers must ensure that women who are pregnant or have young families can remain in the workforce without being penalised.

“This includes ensuring that, after the birth of her baby, a woman can return to her own job or an equivalent post on similar terms and conditions, and the right not to be treated less favourably in any recruitment or promotion exercise.

“Sometimes employers do not recognise the benefits for their own businesses, for the individual women and families concerned and for the community if women who are pregnant and who have young families are able to return to and remain in work.

“Above all it is right that women should not be put at a disadvantage in the workplace because of something so central to our society as pregnancy and motherhood.”

Meanwhile, to mark International Women’s Day the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance is launching a new guide on dealing with domestic violence.

The trade union insisted it was its job to fight for social justice for the victims of a serious crime.

NIPSA’s Maria Morgan said: “For employers they too must realise this is a workplace issue.

“In Northern Ireland, the direct cost of domestic violence to services and lost economic output is estimated to amount to £180m (€264.1m) each year.

“While we recognise that government has made some advances in tackling violence against women, violence is not understood as a driver of inequality. Incidence rates are not falling.

"Conviction rates are not increasing.The cost to the public purse is immense and intervention and prevention work is inadequately resourced.

“We hope this guide will equip our branch representatives in negotiating workplace policies and help them to give consistent and effective assistance to those suffering domestic violence.”