25 August 1999
Employment practices fail pregnant workers
Pregnant and
Productive: It's a right not a privilege to work while pregnant
Report of the National Inquiry into Pregnancy and Work
The National Pregnancy and Work Inquiry highlighted pregnant workers are often at risk in a de-regulated environment. This is due to employers limited knowledge about workplace pregnancy regulation and a blatant disregard for anti-discrimination law.
"It is essential in de-regulated environments that pregnant workers and their colleagues are made aware of their rights and responsibilities. This is not happening. In fact some employers exploit workers' lack of knowledge", says Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Susan Halliday.
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.
Report recommendations call for the Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business to pay specific attention to the unique situation pregnant workers face.
"There are people's futures and lives at stake", said Commissioner Halliday.
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 report found that flexible workplace terms and conditions have provided positive outcomes for some. But there are cases where flexibility has been mis-interpreted by employers to the detriment of pregnant workers and their families.
The report recommends the Sex Discrimination Act be amended to allow the Sex Discrimination Commissioner to refer discriminatory awards or agreements to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission of her own initiative.
Closer links between the workplace relations and anti-discrimination systems have also been recommended.
"Co-operation and all available expertise will be required if we are to address the disturbing findings of the report", said Commissioner Halliday.
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/
Possible Contacts
Rohan Squirchuk, Council for Equal Opportunity in Employment 0419 305
789
Jenny Earle, Women's Legal Services Network (02) 6121 6214
Mark Paterson, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 0419 215 037
Job Watch, Oonagh Barron 03 9662 9458
Therese Bryant, Shop Distributive Allied Employers Association 03 9629
2299
