Key facts
- Pregnancy discrimination remains a significant barrier to gender equality in Australia.
- Vulnerable groups, including immigrant and First Nations women, people with disability, and LGBTQ+ individuals, are disproportionately affected.
- Women are reportedly being made redundant through 'sham redundancies' after disclosing their pregnancies.
- A 2024 survey found 89% of parent workers reported discrimination during pregnancy, 85% while on parental leave, and 92% upon returning to work.
- The Australian Human Rights Commission is advocating for urgent law reform to the Sex Discrimination Act.
A report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found that pregnant women and new mothers are facing significant workplace hostility, including "sham redundancies," loss of shifts, and a generally unwelcoming environment. The commission warns that parental discrimination remains a substantial obstacle to achieving gender equality in Australia.
The report highlights that these issues are particularly acute for vulnerable groups such as immigrant and First Nations women, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. The commission gathered insights through roundtables with parents, legal experts, and community advocates.
One case study involved an HR manager who was made redundant a month after announcing her pregnancy, despite offering to work part-time. Another parent lost her job after requesting adjusted working hours to care for her children and terminally ill father. Additionally, a tech worker was discouraged from taking lactation breaks, leading her to stop breastfeeding earlier than planned.
Sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody emphasized the need for urgent legal reform, stating that current legislation has not kept pace with societal changes. She noted that women often delay disclosing pregnancies due to fear of negative repercussions, such as performance management or a drying up of shifts for those in insecure work.