§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister for Women (1) if she will make a statement on the extent of discrimination against women in the workplace who have returned to work after maternity leave; and if she will estimate how many women have been dismissed in each of the last five years on their return from maternity leave; [167848]
(2) what action she plans to take to penalise companies which discriminate against women returning from maternity leave. [167849]
§ Ms HewittWomen are protected under legislation from discrimination, detriment and dismissal for reasons related to pregnancy or maternity leave. Employers who discriminate against women returning from maternity leave are breaking the law and could be liable to pay compensation. They are harming their own businesses by excluding talented women from the workforce.
Unfortunately the re are still cases where women are discriminated against, The following table sets out the outcome of applications made to employment tribunals by women who believe they have been unfairly dismissed on grounds of pregnancy maternity or childbirth and women who believe they have been prevented from returning to work following maternity leave.
The Government welcome any new research in this area and looks forward to the results of the Equal Opportunities Commission's Formal Investigation into pregnancy discrimination.
905W
Outcome of applications to employment tribunals 1998–99 to 2002–03. Unfair dismissal on grounds of pregnancy, maternity or childbirth Acas conciliated settlement Withdrawn or private settlement Successful at tribunal Dismissed at hearing (other reasons) Dismissed at hearing (out of scope) Disposed of otherwise Total disposed in period 2002–03 369 133 82 73 11 30 698 2001–02 401 165 64 88 9 19 746 2000–01 402 130 91 105 14 17 759 1999–2000 498 197 92 148 16 10 961 1998–99 524 208 125 170 19 25 1,071
Failure to allow a return to work following maternity leave Acas conciliated settlement Withdrawn or private settlement Successful at tribunal Dismissed at hearing (other reasons) Dismissed at hearing (out of scope) Disposed of otherwise Total disposed in period 2002–03 44 21 7 7 1 0 80 2001–02 52 29 8 7 2 3 101 2000–01 57 16 9 13 1 3 99 1999–2000 64 32 13 15 2 1 127 1998–99 51 27 10 17 2 5 112 Note: Figures provided by Employment Tribunals Service.