The number of pregnant and new mothers forced to leave their jobs has almost doubled in the past ten years.
According to the Women and Equalities Committee, some 54,000 women were asked to leave their jobs, underscoring a “shocking” increase in discrimination.
Oliver Black, director of My Family Care, said: “There is already nervousness within some industry’s about the redundancy of someone who is pregnant – certainly within areas like the financial services sector, people tend to tread very carefully.
“However, what is true is that if we want to narrow the gender pay gap, create a more gender diverse workforce and achieve the goals of women on boards etc – we have to make sure our talent pools are full of the best people. Making sure that the simple fact of having a baby isn’t career ending has to be a step in the right direction.”
MPs say urgent action is needed following the study, with the Women and Equalities Committee calling for a German-style system where it is harder to make women redundant during and after pregnancy.
Although it is illegal to dismiss women for reasons relating to having a child in the UK, a company can find other reasons for making her redundant.