by Our News Desk

TENS of thousands of new mums are being forced out of their jobs each year because of discrimination in the workplace, a new study out today suggests.

One in 10 mothers have either been dismissed, made compulsorily redundant or treated so poorly that they had to quit a job, a survey of 3,200 women by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found.

The EHRC said its research suggested that around 54,000 new mothers were losing their jobs across Britain every year.

EHRC deputy chairwoman Caroline Waters said: “This research reveals the worrying levels of discrimination and disadvantage at work that women still face today. Not only is discrimination unlawful but it is also bad for business.”

Thousands of employers were also surveyed, making it the largest study of its kind, according to the commission.

About four out of five employers said pregnant women and those returning from maternity leave were just as committed to their work as their colleagues.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the report showed “employers are in denial about the scale of pregnancy discrimination in their workplaces.

“These findings must not be swept under the carpet. The current culture of bullying, harassment and ill-treatment that many female workers experience must be consigned to the past.”

The TUC has published guidance on how employers can improve the experiences of pregnant women and new mothers.

Steve Williams of conciliation service Acas added: “It is clear from this valuable research that businesses need to treat all their workers fairly, as this will help them stay within the law.”