A new study, conducted by the University of South Australia, reveals that despite laws in Australia designed to protect against workplace discrimination, pregnant women and employees with children often face unfair treatment from their employer and colleagues.
This marks the first Australian National Review since 2014 to examine work-related discrimination, disadvantage and bias among pregnant and parent workers. The survey received responses from over 1,200 Australian workers, with 95% identifying as female.
The challenges start early for many expecting mums, with a significant number of women lacking adequate support and information from their employers. Specifically, 32.7% of pregnant women received no information about their upcoming leave entitlements, leaving them unsure about their rights and benefits. Additionally, 25.4% felt the need to hide their pregnancy to avoid discrimination or negative attention.
Workplace support often falls short, as 21.6% of pregnant workers had their job roles changed against their wishes, and 16.6% experienced negative or offensive comments from management about their pregnancy. This kind of discrimination profoundly impacts wellbeing and job security.
The situation did not improve for the respondents during parental leave, with many parents facing significant barriers and a lack of support. Alarmingly, 35.1% of workers reported that their partners did not have access to parental leave. Additionally, 43.8% missed out on training opportunities or promotions while on leave, affecting their career growth. Communication and support from employers are often lacking, with 50.8% not informed about workplace changes that could impact them and 46.9% excluded from important communications or celebrations.
Moreover, 21.3% were pressured to change their leave duration and 22.2% found their employers unsupportive during their leave. While 21.5% had their roles permanently replaced and 22.4% faced redundancy, restructuring or termination during their leave period.
Pregnant and parent workers represent a substantial proportion of the Australian workforce, with over 20% of households having young children. According to the 2023 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of children in Australia has increased over the last 50 years and is expected to grow to 6.4 million by 2048. Without intervention, work-related discrimination against pregnant and parent workers will persist, adversely affecting more of the population.
Employers must ensure that pregnant and parent workers receive the same opportunities and recognition as others. The Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace (BFW) accreditation encourages employers to create supportive environments for breastfeeding and expressing, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and support for working parents.
If you believe you have been discriminated against as a pregnant or working parent, you can seek help from the Fair Work Ombudsman by lodging a complaint online or contacting them directly for advice and assistance. The Ombudsman can investigate your complaint, mediate disputes and take enforcement action to ensure compliance with workplace laws.