I was very pleased to support an event in Parliament this week calling for an end to pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.
New Government research has found that 54,000 women lose their jobs each year because of pregnancy discrimination, 100,000 women experience harassment or negative comments and 53,000 are discouraged from attending antenatal appointments.
I believe that all pregnant women and new mothers are entitled to a safe and secure working environment and it is very disappointing that so many women are encountering problems at work. Women should be supported to have effective protection against dinosaur employers who ignore their legal obligations.
The charity Maternity Action campaigns for an end to pregnancy and maternity discrimination. They provide telephone advice to 2,500 parents each year and parents download over 50,000 information sheets from their website each month.
If you need help and advice their website is http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/