Maternity Discrimination

Many workers long to start a family. However, many working women and their families face a particularly vulnerable period during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and Ireland is usually no exception. Maternity discrimination is a serious matter in which mothers are given unfair treatment at work in relation to their pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding period. These mistreatments range from denying promotions, reducing hours, to dismissal. Offensive comments and jokes about the mother and her baby may also be included.

Pregnant women and those caring for young children need special protection to prevent motherhood from harming their health and that of their other children. They need adequate time to give birth to their children, to recover, and to care for their babies. In Ireland the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibits discrimination based on gender, including pregnancy and maternity, making abuse during the period illegal. It also creates protection measures that guarantee that they will not lose their job due to absence during pregnancy and maternity.

This type of protection not only guarantees equal opportunities for access to work, it also ensures continuity of income that is often vital for the well-being of the entire family. Defending the health of women during pregnancy and motherhood and protecting them from workplace discrimination is an essential condition for achieving true equality of opportunity and treatment for women and men at work and allowing workers to form a family in safe conditions. security.

What should we to know

            

If you are pregnant or recently given birth, it is important to know your rigths and what you can do if you experience discrimination.

            Your rigths

employers must not discriminate against employees on the grounds of pregnancy, chilbirth or maternity leave. you are entitled to the same treatment and opportunities as employyes. the y also have the rogth t take maternity leave and return to work after the leave.

            What to do if you experience maternity discrimination?

• keep record of any incidentof discrimination.
• Speak with HR.
• Try to have written communication.
• If you have an important meeting, bring a union representative, or ask permission to record the conversation.
• File a complaint in WRC.
• Seek legal advice.