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Thousands of pregnant employees 'forced out' each year

New research suggests that every year 30,000 women are sacked, made redundant or leave their jobs due to pregnancy discrimination.

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) surveyed 1000 women and found that at least half of them had experienced some form of bias in the workplace.

According to statistics there are approximately 441,000 pregnant working women in the UK each year and the EOC says their survey is the first to measure the level of discrimination against them.

The survey indicated that 20 per cent of respondents believed they lost out financially due to discrimination, and 5 per cent said they were put under pressure to leave when they announced their pregnancy.

Women with jobs in the retail sector were most likely to face bias against them, with 53 per cent of respondents working in that area reporting difficulties.

Those working in a financial environment were least likely to encounter discrimination, the survey found, with 42 per cent saying they had problems.

Overall there was little difference in the rate of discrimination faced by women working in manual jobs and those in managerial and professional roles.

EOC chair Julie Mellor said the findings were "shocking" and the organisation is asking the government to provide more support to both employees and employers.

The survey results were released as the EOC unveiled a campaign, Pregnant and Productive, calling for action to end unlawful treatment of pregnant women at work.

Where to next?

• Were you discriminated at work? Share your views in Discuss, Debate and Deliberate
• Find out all you need to know about Work and Pregnancy