One in ten parents and pregnant workers resign due to discrimination

Pregnant women and parents are still facing high rates of discrimination at work according to the first national review in ten years.

Researchers from the University of South Australia surveyed more than 1 200 participants about their experiences.

Three in five new mothers returning to work said their opinions were often ignored, they felt excluded and they were given unmanageable workloads.

Two in five reported negative or offensive remarks for taking time off work to care for a sick child, while more than one in ten were treated so badly they resigned.

Image: Employers need to provide better support to retain good pregnant and parent workers. (image: Wikimedia)

Produced By: Netta Finney

Featured In Story: Sasha (name changed for privacy) – Mum who has experienced workplace pregnancy and parenting discrimination, and Dr Rachel Potter – Research Fellow, University of South Australia

First aired on The Wire, Friday 5 April 2024