2 April 2001
It's a right
not a privilege to work while pregnant
New pregnancy guidelines to be launched
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Susan Halliday, will launch the Workplace Pregnancy Guidelines on behalf of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission on 2 April in Brisbane.
The Guidelines follow the Commission's Report of the National Inquiry into Pregnancy and Work, Pregnant and Productive: It's a right not a privilege to work while pregnant, commissioned by the federal Attorney-General in August 1998.
Commissioner Halliday said "the Guidelines have been prepared after extensive consultations with employers and unions. They use basic principles and case studies to illustrate rights and responsibility under the Sex Discrimination Act. They provide practical advice for employers, employer organisations, unions and employees on the management of pregnancy in the workplace. The Guidelines answer difficult questions, plus questions some employers have been reluctant to ask."
"I have been extremely pleased with the support the Commission has received from the industry experts and in particular the ACCI and the ACTU in the development of these guidelines. It is clear to me that many employers are keen to understand and eradicate pregnancy discrimination."
"Having come from the private sector, I am well aware of pregnancy-related issues that cause employers concern and confusion. The guidelines provide assistance on how to deal with day-to-day situations that arise in workplaces. Federal Sex Discrimination legislation has been with us for close to two decades and we are now living in the 21st century. It is essential that employers ensure women in the workforce are not subjected to negative stereotyping about their capacity to perform a job because they are pregnant or have the potential to become pregnant."
"Society encourages people to be economically independent and to have children. It is only fair that we ensure women are not penalised for either. I am adamant that what has been happening in some workplaces over the years must change. Legislation, along with education and advice, is essential if we are to protect people who, sadly, others are happy to exploit."
The Workplace Pregnancy Guidelines will be launched at the RAQ Training Office, 395 St Paul's Terrace, Fortitude Valley, Queensland at 10.30am on Monday 2 April 2001.
Media representatives are invited to attend.
Contact: Commissioner Susan Halliday (direct) on 0417 663 396 or Janine MacDonald (02) 9284 9880 or 0412 783 631
The New pregnancy guidelines will be made available here soon.
To view the Pregnancy Fact Sheet click here.
The Media
Release from the Attorney-General's Department is also available in 
PDF
(39k) and 
Word
(28K) formats
