Employers are still practicing unethical and unlawful behavior around pregnancy, a poll by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found. The survey of 1,106 senior decision makers revealed that businesses are ‘living in the dark ages’ when it comes to maternity rights, with worrying statistics around the treatment of women in the recruitment process.
Despite it being illegal to not appoint a woman because she is pregnant or could become so, over one third of those surveyed (36%) said it is reasonable to ask women about future plans to have children, with 46% also asking if they have young children. Over half (59%) agreed that a woman should have to disclose whether she is pregnant during the recruitment process.
The statistics come in the wake of a drive towards shared parental leave, which last week was found to have a take up of only 2%. While it shouldn’t be so that employers see childcare as a burden, sharing childcare responsibilities equally between men and women could attack this archaic ideal that women are the sole bearers of childcare and ease pressure on women in the recruitment process.
The Commission has urged employers to eliminate these attitudes, after also finding that 41% of employers think pregnancy puts an ‘unnecessary cost burden’ on the workplace and around one third believing women who become pregnant are ‘less interested in career progression’ than other employees.
Essentially, these employers are undermining the wish the majority of our population have which is to start a family and enjoy a life outside of work. It is yet another example of a lack of flexibility employers show, which we found disproportionally impacts women, with working mothers losing £1.3 trillion in potential earnings.
This oppressive working culture, coupled with sexist ideals about women and pregnancy, only perpetuates the gender pay gap, and puts even more pressure on anyone who wishes to start a family. While the Commission is aiming to drive change with the Working Forward initiative, a campaign to ensure workplaces treat pregnant women and new parents ethically, there is a further issue to be tackled beyond implementing new business practices.
Employers act on their own views and opinions, which can often stem from discriminatory places, and so the issue takes more than just legislative change around employment, proven by the fact it has been illegal to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy since 2010, yet employers still do it. This is a problem created by cultural values towards women and an overreaching working culture which expects too much from employees.
Cultural change cannot simply begin from legislation, as proven by PLAN International – a charity working toward ending FGM - but takes educating people on the oppressive ideals they practice, unknowingly or not. While it may be redundant to force business owners to sit through lectures on gender discrimination, there is an argument for educating children to understand gender imbalance and the necessity of work life balance.
If we grow up with different cultural ideals than the current generation of business owners, perhaps there’ll be hope in the future than the next generation of ‘senior decision makers’ will have less discriminatory views around women and families.
Until then, we can only hope the drive towards flexible working and shared parental leave will diminish the out-of-date ideal that women are the sole bearers of childcare and employees with a life outside of work are less committed to their job.
Click through to see all of the women fighting gender inequality on Instagram...
Inspirational Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
1 of 24Women In Comics
Illustrating inspirational images and depicting women in comic form, this account will brighten up your timeline with some home truths in the form of pretty pictures.
2 of 24Adwoa Aboah
This insanely beautiful model founded GURLS TALK, an online community where women from all backgrounds can share their personal experiences in a safe space.
3 of 24Alicia Garza
Alicia is an editor and activist who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Her feed is a mixture of relatable memes, unfiltered selfies and educational posts to keep you woke.
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4 of 24Amandla Stenberg
You might recognise this actor from The Hunger Games, when she played the character only character we cried endless tears for, Rue. Now, while still acting, she's a full-fledged activist posting about everything gender, feminism and black culture.
5 of 24MuslimGirl/Amani
Amani created the fast-growing activism account @MuslimGirl, another one you should definitely follow. She has spoken across the world about Muslim women and posts everything from badass selfies to stats you need to know.
6 of 24Amber Amour
Amber created @CreatingConsentCulture which aims to educate people on rape culture and support rape and sexual assault survivors. She's also outspoken about racism and sex work, her feed will be endless many dinner party talking points.
7 of 24Amber Rose
You may only know Amber Rose as Kanye's ex, but think again. Amber is a sex positivity icon, with her own pocast 'Loveline with Amber Rose' up until 2018 that aimed to promote healthy sexual relationships and self-love. If you can get past the fact she advertised flat tummy tea once (fgs Amber), you'll love her feminism-filled feed.
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8 of 24Beverly Bond
Author of 'Black Girls Rock', Beverly's posts will have you both inspired and enraged, filled with commentary on everyday injustices.
9 of 24Bree Newsome
You may recognise Bree as the activist who took down the confederate flag from a flagpole outside the South Carolina Capitol building. She's continuing her activism with inspiring art you need to see.
10 of 24Cameron Russell
An american model who called out the fashion industry for sexual harassment and assault, she started the #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse hashtag. Her instagram is full of inspiring stories and educational videos exposing different injustices within her industry and beyond.
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11 of 24Iskra Lawrence
If your not already following Iskra, your living under an Instagram rock. The body positive model started her own business, everyBODY with Iskra, to give health and fitness advice beyond just getting super skinny. You need her body posi vibes in your life.
12 of 24Jessamyn
Another super body positive account to follow, Jessamyn is a yoga teacher regularly posting about the emotional and physical benefits of body positivity and practicing yoga.
13 of 24Joanna Thangiah
Shun your timeline of filtered selfies and over exposed holiday destinations. It's time for some feminist, mental health aware art! This account is amazing for cute cartoons that say everything we're already feeling.
14 of 24Judy Reyes
You'll probably remember Judy as Carla from Scrubs, or one of the other thousand TV show she's been in throughout her insanely successful career. Unlike most Hollywood actors, her Insta is full of activism and news you need to know.
15 of 24Logan Browning
Activist and actor, Logan Browning is the lead of Netflix hit Dear White People. Posting powerful content and links to charities you can donate to so you can turn your online activism into action- she's a force to be reckoned with.
16 of 24Makers Women
MAKERS is a storytelling platform for women, posting quotes to keep you inspired throughout the day. Stay up to date with gender injustice, while also feeling hopeful with the powerful words these amazing women have to say.
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17 of 24Nimisha Bhanot
Another artist you need to follow, Nimisha creates amazing prints (which you can buy) critiquing societal perceptions of South Asian women. She's based in Canada, but these prints can brighten up your timeline anywhere.
18 of 24Muslim Girl
Muslim Girl, where 'muslim women talk back' is an account ran by Amani. Advocating for issues facing muslim women, both accounts are an inspiration and necessity on your feed.
19 of 24Project Consent
There's no time like the present to be educating people on consent. This account does exactly that, and gives you the perfect explanations, comebacks and reminders to throw out at a dinner party if the issue comes up.
20 of 24Rowan Blanchard
Gone are the days of Disney stars going off the rails, this actor and activist is a beacon of positivity- especially online. Fighting gender and race injustice and beyond, she's one to watch.
21 of 24Rupi Kaur
Rupi made headlines in 2015 when she posted pictures of her on Instagram with visible menstrual blood. Her posts were blocked by Instagram, causing backlash against the social media platform. She continues to break boundaries with her writing and poetry.
22 of 24Sophie King
This UK based embroidery artist is an up-and-coming star, embroidering feminist slogans onto everything from bras to roses. Bring her insta to life with her slogan t-shirts, or just stare at the pretty pictures, either way she's someone you should follow.
23 of 24The Vulva Gallery
Our favourite of all the accounts, the vulva gallery promotes self-love in an area SO often ignored. With two-thirds of women avoiding smear tests, life-saving procedures, because of the look of their vagina, it's time we stopped all of the self-loathing around genitals. Providing a regular reminder that all vaginas are beautiful, if you only follow one account of this list, it should be this one.
24 of 24Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren Singer lives an entirely waste-free life. Yes, you can actually do that. As #plasticfree takes over our news feed, it's time you had some daily advice on how exactly to reduce your waste. Save the planet!