The gender divide continues to plague the modern workplace, despite efforts to shrink it. A comprehensive report from the University of South Australia released today delves into the working conditions faced by pregnant employees and parents in Australia, highlighting a pressing need for significant reforms in workplaces to combat the pervasive discrimination and disadvantages experienced by these demographic groups.

The national review marks the first of its kind in over a decade, shedding light on a range of critical issues affecting pregnant and parent workers.

Parental issues

More than 60% of new mothers returning to work reported feeling ignored, excluded, or burdened with unmanageable workloads. Around 25% of women stated their workplaces lacked adequate breastfeeding facilities.

Almost one in five women returning from maternity leave encountered resistance to requests for flexible working arrangements. A significant portion of pregnant women received insufficient information about their leave entitlements, contravening legal mandates.

Many women felt compelled to conceal their pregnancies at work. During leave periods, a substantial percentage had their job responsibilities altered against their wishes, while many expressed a desire for extended maternity leave to care for their child.

A distressing 38% reported facing negative or offensive remarks for taking time off to care for a sick child, with 13% ultimately resigning due to mistreatment.

Making things better

Among the key recommendations outlined in the National Review into Pregnant and Parent Workers Work Conditions and Discrimination are:

1. Enhanced consultation between employers and employees to ensure a better understanding of pregnancy-related needs and clear communication regarding role adjustments for returning parents.
2. Provision of suitable spaces for breastfeeding or expressing milk, including access to locked rooms, comfortable seating, and storage facilities.
3. Cultivation of an inclusive workplace culture by management and HR, fostering environments that reject disrespectful or negative behavior.
4. Promotion of greater gender equality through the provision of partner parental leave and flexible work arrangements.
5. Ensuring equal access to training and career progression opportunities regardless of work arrangements.
6. Implementation of ergonomic adjustments in workplaces to minimize risks of harm.
7. Enforcement of stricter regulations on employers to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

These recommendations stem from a 2023 study that revealed persisting discrimination against pregnant women and parents in Australian workplaces, despite legislative efforts to address such issues.