Job interviews “ripe territory” for maternity discrimination

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today published a new study revealing the extent of maternity and pregnancy discrimination in recruitment.

Showing that many businesses’ attitudes are decades behind the law, the survey of 1,106 senior decision makers in business found around a third (36%) of private sector employers agree that it is reasonable to ask women about their plans to have children in the future during recruitment.

The new statistics also reveal six in 10 employers (59%) agree that a woman should have to disclose whether she is pregnant during the recruitment process, and almost half (46%) of employers agree it is reasonable to ask women if they have young children during the recruitment process.

Specialist employment and equality barrister Chris Milsom explains how job interviews were particularly 'ripe territory' for maternity discrimination. In an article published by the Independent today, Chris says “Many of the instances described in this research would amount to harassment under section 26 the Equality Act. unlike sex or race, however, there is no specific coverage for harassment related to pregnancy or maternity. This deserves reconsideration." 

Read the full article here. 

In a new article published by Lexis Nexis, Rachel Crasnow QC, specialist discrimination and equality barrister, makes the case for a more 'supportive working culture' and explains that 'business is years behind the law' surrounding equality within the workplace. She also highlights the importance of parental equality, saying that 'if the Government wants to reduce the gender pay gap and improve the economy by keeping women in the workplace, it has to be feasible - fiscally and culturally - for men to take leave to care for their young families too.' 

Read the full article here.