The Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill – What does it mean for Businesses and Employees?

This proposed legislation aims to give greater protection from redundancy for expectant employees and new parents from the moment they inform their employer. Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination was the fifth most common Discrimination claim from 2020 to 2021. The Bill is seen as a major advance in increasing the rights and protections of pregnant women and new parents. 

 

There are 5 fair reasons for dismissal and redundancy is one of them. This Bill will extend the period of protection from redundancy. This will protect expectant employees from when they inform their employer of their pregnancy until 18 months after their return. Protection will also extend to shared parental leave and parents taking adoption who will also be protected whilst on leave and for a period of 18 months after they return. At present women are protected from redundancy only whilst on maternity or parental leave. 

 

Once the Bill passes employers may wish to consider: 

 

• Do any internal guidelines and relevant procedures need up-dating? 

• Ensure HR managers and line managers who are responsible for redundancy processes understand the new rules, how to apply them and what would happen in the case of non-compliance 

 

In my view this is an important piece of legislation and does provide some necessary changes to ensure expectant employees and partners are far more adequately protected. 

 

Contact us now if you feel you have been subjected to discrimination, treated less favourably due to your pregnancy at work and are thinking of making a compensation claim. Our maternity discrimination solicitors regularly represent clients in discrimination claims locally and nationally. We offer a NO-WIN-NO-FEE on employment claims for Claimants. 

 

Click here to view our Maternity & Pregnancy Discrimination page. 

 

 

Contact our team on 0113 2007480.