Catherine McKinnell has joined forces with the charity Maternity Action to call for an end to pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, following an event held in Parliament this week.

The Newcastle North MP attended the launch of three new videos developed by Maternity Action, which aim to support and empower pregnant women encountering problems at work, by informing them of their health and safety rights in the workplace.

Pregnancy discrimination has risen dramatically in the past decade, and now affects three quarters of pregnant women and new mothers at work.

Indeed, Government-commissioned research published in March 2016 found that 20,000 women leave their jobs because of health and safety concerns each year, and 53,000 are discouraged from attending important antenatal appointments. As many as 54,000 women are forced out of work each year as a result of unfair and unlawful treatment because of their pregnancy.

Catherine said:

‘I’m proud to back Maternity Action’s important campaign – and these new videos should help women to raise concerns with their employers, and resolve issues as early as possible. 

‘It’s essential that pregnant women and new mothers have a safe working environment, and it’s deeply concerning that so many women are encountering problems at work as a result of their pregnancy – including being forced out of their jobs.

‘This growing problem really needs to be tackled across Government with a proper strategy that makes it clear pregnancy and maternity discrimination are not acceptable in 21^st century Britain.’

Maternity Action campaigns for an end to pregnancy and maternity discrimination, and provides telephone advice to 2,500 parents each year whilst over 50,000 information sheets are downloaded from the charity’s website each month.

The three videos launched this week are designed to guide women through a step-by-step process for raising disputes with their employers, and include information about how to notify an employer of pregnancy, health and safety risk assessments, antenatal appointments and maternity leave.