30,000 women a year lose their jobs because they are pregnant

[MollieO]

So says C4 news tonight. Another staggering statistic is credit crunch redundancy - 3% of men made redundant, compared to 4.5% of men.

The 30,000 women losing their jobs comes from a study the Equal Opportunities Commission did in 2005.

This situation is ongoing and endemic and we need government to take a strong lead on and make clear to employers it is unlawful and unacceptable. Employers need educating about the law and also about the help that is available to them, e.g. that Statutory Materntiy Pay can be reclaimed by employers from HMRC.

It would be fantastic if mumsnet got their weight behind this issue. IMO it is THE most pressing issue that affects mums to be and working mothers. A campaign needs to be started now, in advance of the public sector cuts, so that women are not unlawfully picked on as easy targets because of pregnancy, caring committments etc...

Agree with Wollstone. This is a hidden problem as so many women end up signing confidentiality agreements in exchange for compensation. The law in effect ensures that you are compensated if your employer decided to behave this way. It does not protect you from it happening.