News

Pregnancy Bunfight Looms

By Dermott Browne - CPSU National Communications Office

A CPSU survey about pregnancy and work has uncovered a disturbing amount of discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace.

Many of the woman who responed to the survey reported feeling highly stressed about how the news of their pregnancy would be taken by their bosses.

"I couldn't sleep for days. I was so sick with worry. I felt sure my contract would not be renewed because of my pregnancy." said one respondent.

Another woman reported that the chairman of a selection committee told her to withdraw her job application because she was pregnant and there was 'no way she was going to get the job'.

Other respondents feel they were overlooked or discriminated against because someone higher up the food chain had assumed they might not be able to cope with the position because of their pregnancy. Like the highly professional and experienced section manager who was sidelined and put in charge of the office 'coffee club' and footy tipping competition when she returned to work after the birth of her daughter.

Discrimination

CPSU National Organiser, Rae-Anne Medforth, who co-ordinated the survey was said "It has shown that for many employees, the level of stress experienced during pregnancy is linked to how their employer deals with their pregnancy in the workplace."

More than 100 women responded to the survey including staff from Centrelink, the Bureau of Statistics, Customs, Tax, the ABC, Telstra and ACT local government.

The age of respondents was widespread, with the largest group being in the 31 to 35 age bracket.

The results of the survey have now been analysed and the CPSU has presented them as a formal submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities (HREOC) Enquiry into Pregnancy and Work.

Summary of findings:

- 30% of respondents felt they suffered discrimination, including denial of access to training, promotions and loss of contracts.

- Many respondents, particularly those from highly unionised workplaces, reported positive workplace experiences during their pregnancy.

- Many staff are concerned that employers like Telstra and Employment National have sought to remove or reduce paid maternity leave entitlements as they move towards privatisation.

- While Public Service staff generally have access to reasonable entitlements, the application of these entitlement at the local level is inconsistent.

- Returning to work and accessing permanent part-time work after having a baby is a critical issue for women.

- Changes in employment arrangements and the increased use of contract employment are having adverse affects on pregnant women in the workplace.

- Many women reported high levels of stress because they were unsure how their employers would react when the pregnancy was disclosed.

Recommendations:

As part of its submission to the HREOC Enquiry, the CPSU made several key

recommendations including:

- a broader definition of 'detriment' in the Sex Discrimination Act that includes things like training, promotional opportunities and contract renegotiations; changes to leave arrangements including the ability to take paid maternity leave at half pay;

- the removal of legislation that allows employers to insist women take leave six

weeks before the expected date of confinement, and stronger emphasis on the employer's responsibility to educate all employees about their rights.

The complete CPSU submission can be found on the union website at:

http://www.cpsu.org/submissions/pregnancy_and_work_submission_feb99.doc

For more details contact: Rae-Anne Medforth, CPSU National Office

Phone: (02) 9334 9200 or mailto:[email protected]

   Visit the CPSU

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 18 contents

»	Carers Crisis: Victims Turned Away
»	Farmers Back Social Audit
»	Holiday Bugs: Government Asked to Act on Y2K
»	Oakdale Miners Take Message to Canberra
»	United Front for Public Sector Pay
»	Talking Books Silenced
»	Upper House Reform: Lest We Forget Greiner
»	Pregnancy Bunfight Looms
»	Horta Launches East Timor Mercy Ship
»	Sparkies Back Fantastic Plastic
»	APHEDA Helps Beat The Blockade
»	Torture Support Day, June 26

»	Guest Report
»	Sport
»	Trades Hall
»	Piers Watch

»	Chardonnay Debate Lacks Class
»	GST Rally, Town Hall, Monday June 21

Notice Board
- Check out the latest events

Latest Issue

View entire latest issue
- print all of the articles!

Previous Issues

Subject index

Search all issues

© 1999-2000 Labor Council of NSW

LaborNET is a resource for the labour movement provided by the Labor Council of NSW

[ Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Credits ]

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW