Fawcett Society reports that 30,000 pregnant women lose their jobs per year

It is estimated that 30,000 women lose their job each year simply because they are pregnant. This is illegal discrimination but women are let down by weak equality legislation, and this action is actually on the rise due to the recession.The Fawcett Society and other organisations have noted an increase in the number of calls they are receiving from pregnant women, or women on maternity leave who have been identified for redundancy in the recession. As a result, Fawcett have established the 'Alliance Against Pregnancy Discrimination' to campaign and provide advice and support: http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/AllianceAgainstPregnancyDiscrimination.pdf

The Alliance calls for Government and employers to actively enforce the law prohibiting workplace discrimination on pregnancy related grounds and for Government not to weaken the law on pregnancy discrimination in the Equality Bill.Do you need advice on pregnancy discrimination?The employment discrimination team at solicitors Leigh Day will give 10 minutes' free advice if you suspect you have recently been made redundant on these grounds. Contact them here: http://www.leighday.co.uk/news/news-archive/is-the-recession-affecting-women-more-than-men-1