In a response to a report by the Women and Equalities Select Committee on pregnancy and maternity discrimination, the BEIS will be consulting on options to ensure there is sufficient protection from redundancy. The response sets out two main commitments:

1. To consult on options to ensure that the protections in place for those who are pregnant or returning from maternity leave are sufficient. This does not, as many media reports suggest, totally accept that part of this protection ‘should be’, as proposed by the Committee, that women can only be made redundant in specified circumstances throughout pregnancy and maternity leave and for six months afterwards.
2. To consider what further guidance can be provided to courts and claimants about existing flexibilities in the tribunal system to extend the time limit for bringing pregnancy and maternity discrimination cases.

The aim of this update is to provide summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. In particular, where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented by the parties and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Click on the links provided to access full details. If no link is provided, contact us for further details.  Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, SM&B cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.