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March 2026 - Health

New research has uncovered significant shortcomings in how some pregnant women and new mothers are treated at work and highlights how a lack of understanding of maternity rights among some employers is forcing women to self-advocate or contact their union to ensure the correct policies and procedures are enforced.

The research, commissioned by UNISON and produced by Maternity Action, collected responses from 2,300 UNISON female members from September 22 to October 6, 2025. All respondents had become mothers through birth or adoption since January 2022 and were asked to share their experiences of pregnancy at work, maternity or adoption leave, and the return to work process.

Of those surveyed, a fifth (20%) said their employer failed to conduct appropriate health and safety risk assessments, exposing them to avoidable hazards. Additionally, 18% of these women felt they needed adjustments to their working conditions, but none were made. Many described being left alone with violent patients, performing heavy physical work, or being exposed to infections.

The survey also asked whether they had experienced undue pressure, bullying, or unfavourable treatment regarding their pregnancy or during maternity/adoption leave. Encouragingly, seven out of ten (71%) reported no negative experiences, citing satisfactory risk assessments, redundancy protections, and feeling respected and supported by their management and colleagues. In contrast, a significant minority had experienced unfavourable treatment.

Of the 22% who reported experiencing unfavourable treatment, around two-fifths (38%) said their employer had failed to accommodate pregnancy-related health issues, a third (34%) felt they lost opportunities, such as promotions or increased pay, while over a quarter (26%) faced bullying or harassment; such as being mocked, receiving negative or derogatory comments, being pressured to work at full capacity, being denied basic rights, and being treated as a ‘burden’.

The qualitative open-text responses from the survey also reveal poor employer knowledge regarding maternity rights, the failure to follow statutory procedures and incorrect or delayed HR processes.

The report recommends strengthening maternity rights while ensuring employers clearly understand their legal obligations to pregnant employees and new mothers. Moreover, it believes that strengthened protections in the Employment Rights Act 2025 will only have an impact if employers are given clear guidance, training, and the right tools to put these rights into practice.

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