Get Smart About Pregnant Staff

The Human Rights Commission is urging employers to be smart and work against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said that the Commission had recorded a significant increase in the number of enquiries about how to best deal with or avoid problems of pregnancy discrimination at work.

“The Commission is heartened that employers are, more than ever, wanting to provide fair working environments for all staff, while women are becoming more aware of their right to be treated without discrimination during all stages of their working lives”.

“In response, the Commission has produced a Guidelines publication for employers which is aimed at providing them with the information they need to enable them to meet their obligations and responsibilities in relation to pregnant staff members”.

The Commission’s new publication is divided into five chapters: the first provides an overview of pregnancy discrimination while the other four cover periods in the employment relationship during which pregnancy issues might arise.

Ms Noonan said that the Commission hopes that the Guidelines will pave the way for greater understanding of the rights of pregnant workers and will result in a reduction of pregnancy-related disputes.

“These Guidelines should assist employers to provide a supportive and discrimination-free workplace which will benefit their business as much as their staff”.

Associate Minister of Justice the Hon. Margaret Wilson will be launching the new “Employers Guidelines for the Prevention of Pregnancy Discrimination” tomorrow evening at Biz NZ, Microsoft House in Wellington.

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