Maternity and Pregnancy

Your Rights

Once your employer knows that you are pregnant, you are protected from pregnancy discrimination at work, in addition to protection from sex discrimination, under the Equality Act 2010.

You may have a claim for sex discrimination if you are treated less favourably for associating with a pregnant woman, for example, if your partner is pregnant.

You are also protected from maternity discrimination if you are taking, seeking to take or have taken statutory maternity leave.

You are protected whether you are permanent, fixed-term, full-time, part-time, supply or agency.

Your colleagues, managers and governors are prohibited from discriminating against you.

If you are an agency worker on a day-to-day or longer term contract, your agency and the hirers for whom you are working are prohibited from discriminating against you.

Your pay and progression should not be impeded just because you are on pregnant or on maternity leave.

If you think your workplace is discriminating against you, please contact us immediately.

For a general overview of your rights while you are pregnant, see these documents:

• Maternity Matters a general overview of maternity rights for all those working in education.

• Family Rights NEU advice for your rights in taking time off work to deal with family-related issues, from child birth to a death in the family.

The NEU is affiliated to Maternity Action which is an organisation which campaigns for better maternity rights. Visit their website for more information about their work.

The exact nature of maternity entitlements above statutory maternity pay (salary, leave etc) may vary depending on the nature of your contract and the terms of your employment.

Pregnancy and Domestic Abuse

Pregnancy can be a trigger for domestic abuse, and existing abuse may get worse during pregnancy or after giving birth. It is estimated that four to nine in every 100 pregnant women are abused during their pregnancy or soon after the birth. Nearly 60 per cent of survivors using domestic abuse services are also mothers.

Economic insecurity can increase a victim/survivor’s vulnerability to domestic abuse. This is because economic insecurity and poverty reduces a victim/survivor’s ability to leave their relationship, particularly if they are financially dependent on their abuser.

The NEU has created a toolkit to support members affected at work by domestic abuse. You can access it here https://neu.org.uk/advice/equality/sex-and-gender-equality/domestic-abuse-and-workplace-toolkit

If you need help now, then you can call the 
National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. It is open 24 hours a day.