Ask an Expert - Pregnant Employees
Ask an Expert - Pregnant Employees
Q: We have an employee who has just notified us that she is intending to start a family and is trying to get pregnant. We are aware that pregnant employees have additional protection and extra entitlements, but would like to know when this protection starts. Is she already protected? When would any protection end?
A: Currently, the Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to treat a woman less favourably on the grounds of her pregnancy or for asserting her statutory entitlement to maternity leave. The protected period starts at the point an employee becomes pregnant. This means that although this employee has indicated her intention to become pregnant, she would not (at present) be covered by the legislation.