25 August 1999
High levels of pregnancy discrimination in business
Pregnant and Productive:
It's a right not a privilege to work while pregnant
Report of the National Inquiry into Pregnancy and Work
A new report reveals significant management problems and a lack of knowledge regarding workplace pregnancy.
The report confirms that regulation covering workplace pregnancy needs to be streamlined and recommends a variety of ways to do this including legislative amendments.
The report is the result of a ten month national Inquiry granted to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission by the Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon. Daryl Williams.
"The laws covering pregnancy can be complex and confusing", says Federal Sex Commissioner Susan Halliday. "We need to improve employers understanding of the legislation. Proper use of the existing mechanisms would have avoided many of the disturbing stories contained in this report."
Australia's first national Inquiry into Pregnancy and Work strongly confirmed that despite legislation pregnant women are still denied equal opportunity in employment. This has a significant financial and emotional impact on women and their families.
"The Inquiry revealed women feared alerting their employers to the potential of pregnancy while others concealed their pregnancy for as long as possible. On the other hand submissions from employers indicated their appreciation for early notification of pregnancy", Commissioner Halliday stated.
"There are employers who fail to inform their employees about their rights and responsibilities with respect to workplace pregnancy. The report highlights employers themselves are often unaware of the law."
"This report also demonstrates how certain employers are benefiting through accommodating pregnancy in the workplace", said Commissioner Halliday. "Sound management of pregnancy was documented in submissions from organisations including McDonalds, Westpac Banking Corporation and Australia Post."
The immediate need for simple and accurate information about the rights and responsibilities of workplace pregnancy will be addressed through educative Guidelines.
"It is in the best interest of business to acknowledge the contribution all employees- pregnant or otherwise", said Commissioner Halliday.
"I have been encouraged by the honest and frank contributions from employers and I look forward to working with business and industry to address the many problems exposed in this report."
Commissioner Halliday is available for comment.
For media interviews and further information please contact: Erin Broderick on (02) 9284 9880 or 0419 258 597. For a copy of the report and media pack phone 02 9284 9675. The report can also be downloaded from: www.humanrights.gov.au/sex_discrimination/workplace/
Other contacts:
Mark Paterson, Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry 0419 215 037
Deanne Bevan, McDonalds 02 9875 6638
Therese Bryant, Shop Distributive Allied Employers Association, 03 9629
2299
Rohan Squirchuk, Council for Equal Opportunity in Employment, 0419 305
789
Fiona Krautil, Affirmative Action Agency, 02 9334 9800
Pru Goward, Office of the Status of Women, 02 6271 5716
