Pregnancy and Common Employment Law Rights Knowpia

Pregnancy or maternity discrimination is something that involves unfair treatment and discrimination for women on pregnancy and related illness. If you are pregnant and working. Certain rights protect you and your little one. These rights can also safeguard you from unfair treatment and discrimination at work.

Legal Rights for Pregnant Women at Work

The Equality Act 2010 has protection rights for you. It guarantees that you won't be treated unfavorably or unjustly while on maternity leave, asking for a leave, taking pre-natal appointments, etc. The protection of pregnant employees starts when the pregnancy begins and ends when they complete their maternity leave or return to work. Pregnant women at work have four main legal rights:

· Paid time off for prenatal care

· Maternity Leave

· Maternity Allowance

· Rights protection against unfair treatment or discrimination

Prenatal Care

It is important to note here that prenatal care not just includes medical appointments but also includes parenting classes if the doctor has recommended them. Employers are not allowed to change a pregnant employee's contract. They cannot add or remove any terms without the agreement of the employee. If they do that, it is termed as a breach of contract.

For prenatal care or appointments, the employers are bound to give them paid time off. They are also not allowed to cut any percentage from the employees' regular rate.

Maternity Leave

An employee is allowed to take maternity leave for up to a year. In some cases, an employee might not be entitled to a paid maternity leave. One might have to check for it with their employer.

Sick Leave and Pay

If you fall sick during pregnancy, you are entitled to a paid sick leave as well. However, it might affect your maternity pay. Yet again it has to be confirmed with the employer.

Worker's Health and Safety

Once you have informed your employer that you are pregnant. Then it is onto them to ensure that your job is free from any health and safety risks. They should carry out a risk assessment and try to eliminate all possible safety risks. This also includes:

· Long working hours

· Long-standing or sitting time (without a break)

· Lifting or carrying heavy loads

· Exposure to hazardous and toxic materials

If the workplace isn't safe for you and your baby. An employer needs to choose one of the following 3 options.

· Change your workplace

· Give you some different (easy) work

· Let you stay home

An employer has to decide which of the option best suits them and you.

Workplace Discrimination

If a pregnant worker finds herself being bullied or victimized at work. Certain rights guarantee her protection from victimization and discrimination as well. If an employee faces discrimination at work because of being pregnant. If they are given more than usual work and find themselves being unfairly treated by the employer. They can file a complaint against them.

Last Words

Some lawyers and solicitors are experts in helping employees fight for their rights. If you face any sort of discrimination at work. Search for an employment law solicitorsStockport to file a claim against your employer.