Pregnancy and Maternity discrimination lawyers
Being a new parent and the legal protections
Being pregnant or becoming a new parent should be the most joyful and uplifting time of your life. Sadly, for some people it is not always a positive experience when it comes to their workplace. There are still employers who will seek to treat those who are pregnant or taking maternity or other family leave detrimentally.
Pregnancy, maternity or other types of discrimination related to taking time out for care purposes can take many forms. It may about pay and benefits, a failure to communicate job or promotion opportunities during maternity leave, a refusal to accommodate reasonable flexible working requests or being dismissed or selected for redundancy.
The law provides significant protection for pregnant workers and those take maternity and other leave so that they are not adversely impacted in the workplace by their pregnancy or leave. Understanding your rights and job protections at this sensitive and sometimes stressful time can be hugely comforting.
How our discrimination lawyers can help you?
If you are concerned that your employer is not treating you fairly because of your pregnancy, maternity leave or other family-related leave, then you may want us to help you navigate the complex legal provisions that exist to protect you. Encouraging your employer to do the right thing without resorting to litigation is our primary aim, but where necessary we can help you raise legitimate grievances or claims and seek appropriate compensation. Our expert pregnancy & maternity lawyers can help you with the following:
- Raising pregnancy, maternity and discrimination grievances
- Understanding your pay and benefit entitlements
- Advising on flexible working requests
- Advising you on the merits of any complaint
- Support in a redundancy situation including after your return to work
- Negotiating a termination package
- Preparing your employment tribunal claim
- Representing you in legal proceedings
Contact Us
If you think you have a grievance or complaint and you need some advice contact our team.
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FAQs about Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination
You can first raise a grievance under your company grievance policy. Ensure you note the date on which the act of discrimination occurred, as there are strict time limits for bringing discrimination claims. You may need to seek early advice on time limits if you have been discriminated against or dismissed.
This will depend entirely on your complaint. The tribunal will look at what losses you have incurred as a result of the discrimination, so it may depend on whether or not you have been dismissed or not been given a promotion or bonus, for example. You may also recover an award called injury to feelings, which is awarded for the hurt and distress caused by an act of discrimination.
