Laurence Bond Head of Research & Development The Equality Authority 27 June 2013

Pregnancy and parenthood related discrimination - reflecting on the challenges to equality bodies Laurence Bond Head of Research & Development The Equality Authority 27 June 2013

5%... … of women employed during pregnancy reported that they were dismissed, made redundant or treated so badly that they had to leave their job

30%... … reported unfair treatment during pregnancy. • .

5% = 2,500 30% = 15,000

15….. pregnancy discrimination cases decided under Irish equality and unfair dismissal legislation each year

… Challenges to Equality Bodies ??

1... we need more robust enforcement

2... to address pregnancy discrimination effectively we need to move beyond legal strategies -

A. To engage employers… Factors reducing the risk of unfair treatment included.. • supportive employer; • equality policy • flexibility in workplace

B. To promote more supportive public policy….. • Women's experience during and after pregnancy has important implications for their long-term labour-market prospects. • Comparison of women's experiences across countries shows that the deterioration in conditions experienced by women can be minimised • Where policy and institutional factors such as maternity and parental leave legislation protect women's employment position and support their reintegration into employment following any interruption for childcare.

C. To change the terms of public debate How do you make family care a men’s issue?

Laurence Bond Head of Research & Development The Equality Authority 27 June 2013