Section 18: Pregnancy and maternity discrimination: work cases
Effect
75.This section defines what it means to discriminate in the workplace because of a woman’s pregnancy or pregnancy-related illness, or because she takes or tries to take maternity leave. The period during which protection from these types of discrimination is provided is the period of the pregnancy and any statutory maternity leave to which she is entitled. During this period, these types of discrimination cannot be treated as sex discrimination.
Background
76.This section is designed to replicate the effect of similar provisions in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
Examples
An employer must not demote or dismiss an employee, or deny her training or promotion opportunities, because she is pregnant or on maternity leave.
An employer must not take into account an employee’s period of absence due to pregnancy-related illness when making a decision about her employment.
