Employers are being urged to take additional measures to ensure new and expectant mothers are safe at work.
According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Maternity Action, which have suggested new measures employers should take to increase safety, many employers “do not know what they should be doing” - or are ignoring their legal responsibilities.
The new suggestions include such measures as changing workload and hours, varying hours and increasing breaks for new or expectant mothers.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Pregnancy can be a stressful enough time for any woman without them having to worry about dangers at work as well.
“Bosses need to do far more to ensure expectant or new mums are safe at work. Too many are ignoring their legal duty to remove risks from the workplace.”
According to Rosalind Bragg, the director of Maternity Action, a UK charity that is committed to ending inequality for pregnant women, the charity receives numerous calls from women who are worried for their safety.
“We know from the women calling our advice line that too many employers are failing to take the health and safety of pregnant and breastfeeding women in the workplace seriously,” she said. “As a result, we know that many women end up having to choose between risking their own health or that of their baby, going off sick, or leaving their job altogether.”
For work benefits for new and expectant mothers and maternity advice regarding rights, you can learn more here.
Reporting agencies contributed to this story.
