Barclays, BT and Royal Mail join forces to tackle maternity discrimination

Major household names, such as Barclays, BT Group and Royal Mail, are leading an alliance of companies that is seeking to tackle the widespread discrimination of pregnant women in the workplace.

The trio have signed up to an initiative called Working Forward that has been launched by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) with the aim of establishing positive industry examples in order to improve the role of women in the economy.

Firms that join the new scheme will strive to "make their workplaces the best they can be for pregnant women and new mothers", says the Daily Telegraph.

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Particular measures will include nominating a gender equality representative to sit on company boards, training and supporting line managers in how to deal with maternity issues, and advertising all jobs as open to flexible working where appropriate.

David Isaac, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said: "Attracting, developing and retaining talent, regardless of gender, is absolutely critical for the UK economy and for our businesses.

"Companies that show a real commitment to this are not only doing the right thing but can also gain a competitive edge.”

The EHRC has tracked a rise in complaints relating to maternity discrimination, which it says now affects around 390,000 women a year and forces as many as 54,000 out of their jobs.

Citizens Advice has also recorded an increase in calls from women claiming discrimination. The most common complaints among mothers or mothers to be are being made redundant while on maternity leave, or going back to work with a diminished status or fewer working hours.

According to guidelines produced by Acas, women who are pregnant or on maternity leave should be aware of the following:

• If you are on maternity leave, in general you should be able to return on the same terms

• While employers can make you redundant if there is a genuine reason, such as an office or department being closed, they can't justify doing so just because they've found a way to cover the work

• If you can't be offered your old job, you are entitled to another job on the same terms and on the same basis, including location, pay and level of responsibility

• Where your job is being made redundant and another equivalent post is available, it must be offered to you without the need for an interview

• Where a replacement job is not equivalent, you can refuse an offer or invitation to apply without compromising your entitlement to redundancy compensation

• If you are made redundant while on maternity leave, you are still entitled to statutory maternity pay. You may lose any enhanced maternity pay in your contract, however

• Employers cannot justify treatment that breaches rules on the basis of equality with other workers – workers on maternity leave or who are pregnant are recognised by law to be a special case

• If you want to work flexibly on your return from maternity leave, the employer is obliged to consider the request and can only reject it for genuine business reasons.