Redundancy Protection for Pregnant Employees Announced
More concrete plans have been published, which would extend redundancy protection to pregnant women and employees who have recently returned from maternity and adoption leave.
Under the current law, women on maternity leave have special protection when their employer is making redundancies. They have the right to be offered a suitable alternative vacancy, if one is available, before being made redundant. It gives employees on maternity leave priority access to redeployment opportunities over other redundant employees.
The new plans would see that special protection extended for pregnant employees from the moment she informs her employer, as well as for employees returning from maternity leave and adoption leave for up to six months after the date of the end of their leave.
The plans follow concerns raised by many that new and expectant mothers are being forced from their jobs due to discrimination. No implementation date has been decided and the plans may yet be overruled by new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Please note: This article is a commentary on general principles and should not be interpreted as advice for your specific situation.
