Employers in the dark ages over recruitment of pregnant women and new mothers

36% of private sector employers agree that it is reasonable to ask women about their plans to have children in the future; 59% agree that a woman should have to disclose whether she is pregnant; and 46% of employers agree it is reasonable to ask women if they have young children.
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A survey of 1,106 senior decision makers in business shows employers are living in the dark ages over recruitment of pregnant women and new mothers, according to the EHRC. The EHRC say that the survey shows that many businesses’ attitudes are decades behind the law as during the recruitment process: 36% of private sector employers agree that it is reasonable to ask women about their plans to have children in the future; 59% agree that a woman should have to disclose whether she is pregnant; and 46% of employers agree it is reasonable to ask women if they have young children. The EHRC is calling on employers to put a stake in the ground to eliminate these attitudes and, more importantly, pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace for good.


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