Region can lead the way in ending pregnancy and maternity discrimination

Greater Manchester will be leading the country in ending pregnancy, maternity and paternity discrimination at work with the Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and leading businesses joining together in a new regional coalition.

Working with businesses and employees across Greater Manchester to put an end to pregnancy and maternity discrimination, Working Forward Greater Manchester is coordinated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Motherhood Plan Community Interest Company.

It is the first time a whole region of the country has come on board for the Working Forward campaign.

In 2016 the EHRC produced a research report on behalf of the Government which showed that 54,000 women a year lose their jobs due to pregnancy or maternity leave and 77% of working mums encounter negative or discriminatory treatment in the workplace.

This costs UK business £280m a year and is a key contributor to the gender pay gap, preventing women from progressing in their careers.

Despite research and recommendations from the EHRC and the Women and Equalities Select Committee, the Government continues to stall on this issue.

However, Andy Burnham will be supporting the project which will ask Greater Manchester business to lead the way for the future of business, families and the economy.

A celebration event will be held on June 22, in Manchester city centre for all businesses who have pledged their commitment.

The event will be hosted by TV presenter and campaigner, Helen Skelton.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “Manchester has always been a radical, forward thinking city.

“From the birthplace of the Co-operative and Trade Union Movement in the 19th Century, to the home of the Suffragettes in the last, Greater Manchester has a proud tradition of doing things differently to get things done.

“We want to work with a range of partners to put Greater Manchester out in front.

“Greater Manchester will be the first city region to commit to end pregnancy and maternity discrimination through Working Forward, making the region’s workplaces the best they can be for working parents.”

Sue Coe, principal of work from the EHRC said: “We know there is a real appetite among employers to make their businesses the best they can be for working parents and we see Working Forward as a great asset to help businesses achieve this.

“We’ll be working to bring employers and employees together to raise the bar in workplaces across Greater Manchester.”

Jodi Birkett, partner at accountants Deloitte, said: “This campaign is good for business, good for women and good for families.

“Deloitte is proud to support Working Forward Greater Manchester because it is simply a better way to do business.”

Working Forward Greater Manchester already has the support of local big business, including The Coop Bank, PWC and Deloitte.

The project could help see an increase in profits for the region, improved workplace gender equality, and increased wellbeing among working families in Greater Manchester.

The news comes just after employers with more than 250 employees have been required to report their gender pay gap – a legal requirement which is enforced by the EHRC itself.