A CAMPAIGN to stamp out pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work has been launched by Martin Searle Solicitors.

It includes a free telephone advice service for employers and employees concerned about the workplace rights of pregnant women and women on maternity leave.

Martin Searle Solicitors, based in Marlborough Place, Brighton, has campaigned to stamp out pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace since starting their firm in 2004.

Further research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2015 showed that the number of women discriminated against had nearly doubled since 2005 when the Equal Opportunities Commission published research.

That research showed more than 30,000 women had been sacked, made redundant or received unfair treatment at work due to pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

New statistics obtained from a survey of 1,106 senior decision makers by the Equality and Human Rights Commission reveal high levels of discriminatory attitudes amongst employers towards women intending to or having children while working.

Fiona Martin, director and head of employment law, said: “Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is still the most common form of sex discrimination in the workplace.

“It is important that we continue to educate and support employers while advising employees of their rights, to shift cultural attitudes at work and stamp out pregnancy and maternity discrimination once and for all.

“The most common scenario is when a woman tries to return from maternity leave and finds out that her job has ‘disappeared’. “

Fiona Martin will be speaking to employers on Thursday at a Westminster briefing conference.

www.ms-solicitors.co.uk