Guidance for employers - what is pregnancy discrimination?
It is unlawful pregnancy discrimination to treat an employee less favourably:
- on the grounds that she is pregnant.
- for a reason relating to her pregnancy, or;
- because of illness related to her pregnancy.
Some examples of where a woman's treatment would constitute pregnancy discrimination include:
- She is temporarily unable to do the job for which she is employed, whether permanently or on a fixed-term contract on the grounds of her pregnancy.
- She is temporarily unable to work because to do so would be a breach of health and safety regulations.
- The cost of covering her work is too expensive to the business.
- Her absence is due to pregnancy related illness.
- Her inability to attend a disciplinary hearing due to morning sickness or other pregnancy-related conditions or;
- Poor performance linked to pregnancy related conditions, for example morning sickness.