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Network Journal 2007 Issue 3 May/June |
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Tackling pregnancy discrimination
It is now two years since Usdaw produced its ground breaking report Delivering for Pregnant Women which blew the lid on the scale of discrimination against pregnant women in our sectors, writes equalities officer Ruth Cross.
Usdaw surveyed nearly 1,500 women members - 7 out of 10 of our members did not get a risk assessment when pregnant and were still expected to do heavy lifting right up to the start of their maternity leave.
Usdaw has been pressing for stronger rights for pregnant women at work and also working with employers to raise awareness of the right to a risk assessment. Usdaw reps have a key role to play in making sure all pregnant women get a risk assessment.
Many reps are making use of the Usdaw Maternity Rights pack which has clear guidance on health and safety rights in pregnancy and a standard letter women can use to request a risk assessment.
Reps may be interested to know that there is now new online guidance to help employers and pregnant women understand their rights. The new guidance has been produced by the Equal Opportunities Commission who have been working closely with Usdaw to look at how best we can tackle pregnancy discrimination at work.
The new guidance will be of help to reps and can be found at: www.eoc.org.uk/pregnancytoolkit
And don't forget, important changes to maternity rights were introduced two months ago for all women whose babies are due after April 2007. All women from this date will be entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave. Nine months of this will be covered by statutory maternity pay as long as the qualifying conditions are met.
To download or order the Maternity Rights pack visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/equality/resource_library/1076079120_3298.html
If you have any questions concerning maternity, paternity or other parental rights you can contact the Equalities section at Central Office on 0161 224 2804.
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