Pregnancy and Maternity
'Pregnancy and Maternity' is a ‘Protected Characteristic’ of the Equality Act (2010).What is the legal protection from discrimination?
The Act provides women protection from pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work and outside of the workplace in areas including higher education and service provision.
Pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination can occur outside of the workplace if a woman is treated unfavourably because:
- of her pregnancy
- she has given birth (within the past 26 weeks) and, in particular, because she is breastfeeding
- of her pregnancy
- of pregnancy-related illness
- she is on compulsory maternity leave
- she is exercising her right to take ordinary or additional maternity leave
Previous legislation:
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended) has been revoked as parts of the Equality Act (2010) commenced. Much of the Act was revoked in October 2010 and the Gender Equality Duty was revoked on 6 April 2011.
- Refer to webpage: Sex/Gender
- Refer to webpage: Alcohol & Pregnancy
- Refer to webpage: Gender Inclusive Events