One in two mums experience workplace discrimination while they are pregnant, on parental leave or when they return to work according to a landmark report by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
No gasps of shock at that unsurprising statistic eh…?
Many of you probably suspected this or had first hand evidence of the fact that in this country working while pregnant is, according to the Human Rights Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, "considered by many workplaces a privilege and not a right."
More than a quarter (27 per cent) of the fathers and partners interviewed for the report had also experienced discrimination during pregnancy, leave or after returning to work.
The report proved conclusively that the consequences of this discrimination can be devastating for people by affecting their physical and mental wellbeing as well as that of their family and by jeopardising their economic stability.
One woman interviewed for the survey said her parental leave and return to work was the worst experience of her life:
"I spent much of my pregnancy feeling anxious (and sometimes in tears), despite being thrilled about the pregnancy and being physically well. I felt powerless, vulnerable and fearful about my job security and couldn't understand why I was being treated so badly, especially given my unquestionable commitment to the organisation over the previous seven years," she said.
In addition to addressing the negative impacts it has on people Ms Broderick says that making life better for working parents drives great returns for organisations.
"The existence of these forms of workplace discrimination is limiting women's participation in paid work as well as the productivity of businesses and other organisations. Addressing it is not only a human rights imperative, but also an organisational priority. It is critical to the growth of both a strong economy and a cohesive society," she said.
The AHRC says the recommendations made as a result of the report focus on educating government, workplaces and the wider community about their legal rights and obligations.
"…Our recommendations are directed towards a much better implementation of legal obligations through greater provision of information about employee rights and employer obligations.
This is an approach intended to help plug the gap that allows this discrimination to take place - the gap between the legal framework and the implementation of the law," said Ms Broderick.
You can read the report here and now we want to hear from you. Have you experienced workplace discrimination, please provide your comments below. |
