The UK government has announced that pregnant workers and new parents will receive "stronger protections" against being fired, as part of a crackdown on unfair workplace practices. The reforms, announced on Thursday (October 22), come amid concerns that pregnancy and maternity discrimination remain "widespread," according to the government.
The new measures will also extend to workers on adoption, shared parental, neonatal care, and bereaved partner's paternity leave.
Stricter tribunal approach from 2027
From 2027, tribunals will apply a stricter approach to dismissal cases involving pregnant people and new parents. Employers will be required to have considered all reasonable alternatives to dismissal before pursuing it, the government said.
Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, said the reforms will ease pressure on working families, making them feel "more secure" in their jobs. She stated: "No one should have to choose between starting a family and staying in work. Pregnancy and maternity discrimination can have a devastating impact on people's lives, forcing them out of work at the very moment they need security most. These new protections will raise the bar for employers, making it harder to dismiss pregnant workers and new parents unfairly and helping families feel more secure at work."
Charities welcome the move
Rachel Grocott, Chief Executive Officer of the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, cited the latest State of the Nation report, which found that 73 per cent of women experience pregnancy or maternity discrimination. She called the figure "simply unacceptable," adding: "Every week we hear from women whose careers, finances and confidence have been knocked by unfair treatment during pregnancy, maternity leave or their return to work, and we've been taking this evidence to government for over a decade. So, we're pleased to welcome these new protections: they're an important step forward in creating a society where simply starting a family doesn't wreck your career. There is, of course, still lots more work to do to tackle the wider motherhood penalty - and we look forward to continuing to work with the government to make sure women, mothers and parents' voices remain at the centre of decisions that affect their lives in such fundamental ways."
Maternity rights charity Maternity Action also welcomed the government's move, noting it speaks to "thousands of women each year who are worried about losing their jobs simply because they are pregnant or have had a baby." The charity's director, Ali Fiddy, added: "Once introduced, we hope that the measures announced today will reduce the poor and unfair treatment experienced by expectant and new mothers and result in more women remaining in their jobs after having a baby."
Business response and wider context
Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy and Insights at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Businesses across the country want to support women through pregnancy and their return to work. Employers also want to ensure new parents feel secure in their jobs. These stronger protections are welcome and represent a sensible and balanced way forward. They give families greater security while recognising that businesses sometimes have to make difficult decisions for legitimate reasons. We look forward to working constructively with government to develop practical guidance, so everyone knows exactly where they stand."
The announcement is part of the Employment Rights Act, which will benefit over 18 million people by bringing employment rights into the 21st century, helping to create a fairer labour market for both workers and employers.
