The STUC supported the Equal Opportunities Commission’s investigation into pregnancy discrimination “Great Expectations” in 2005. One of the recommendations was to assist pregnant women and their employers to understand their rights and obligations at work and while on maternity or adoption leave. As a result of this the DTI has published a two-part leaflet which is now available to pregnant women from their midwives. This leaflet gives pregnant women information on their rights at work during their pregnancy and whilst on maternity leave and has a detachable leaflet for giving to their employer. It is available from the DTI and can be accessed on their website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file34285.pdf
The EOC has also developed a web-based toolkit for employers which is a comprehensive guide to pregnancy, maternity leave and also adoption and paternal leave. The guide is accessed from the EOC’s web-site at http://www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=19177
The full EOC report on pregnancy discrimination can be found at the following link: http://www.eoc.org.uk/PDF/pregnancy_gfi_final_report.pdf