New mums and MPs talk pregnancy and maternity discrimination

NCT mothers were invited by the Women and Equalities Parliamentary Committee to share their personal stories, concerns and offer recommendations on how to improve the maternity leave process as part of the consultation process for the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Inquiry.

The discussion covered a variety of topics, including the need for:

• Better access to high quality information on parental rights and employers’ responsibilities
• A supportive line manager. NCT mothers who had a supportive line manager felt they had a more satisfactory experience.
• Open and honest discussion with employers. NCT mothers felt that employers’ expectations were not often clear on a variety of issues, including flexible working options, keeping in touch days, and expressing and storing milk in the workplace.

Despite legislation aimed at protecting the rights of pregnant women and new mothers, research shows they are more likely to face negative treatment at work than they were a decade ago.

NCT Portsmouth and Southsea Branch Co-ordinator, Emma Barfoot said: “With more and more new mums and pregnant women experiencing discrimination in the workplace, it is encouraging to see such importance placed on hearing new mums’ experiences first hand.”

The MP for Portsmouth South, Flick Drummond said: “I am very grateful to the NCT for hosting us last week; these sorts of visits are invaluable in helping the Committee with its work. 

“We were able to hear first-hand the sorts of issues that mothers are facing in the work place. The feedback from the group will be important as we begin the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Inquiry. We took a lot of points away from the meeting and we will be sure to follow them up as we undertake our Inquiry.”

For anyone with concerns about pregnancy and maternity discrimination, visit NCT’s website for more information.