Nearly half (42%) of respondents are uneasy about their employer’s reaction when they tell them they are pregnant, according to research by QualitySolicitors.
Its research, conducted by OnePoll among 1,000 working women who have a child, are considering pregnancy or see it as a possibility, found that 78% of respondents did not ask about their employer’s maternity policy when they accepted their job.
The research also found:
- Only half of respondents asked about their maternity rights within their first year of employment.
- Two-thirds of respondents would like their employer to be more transparent about their maternity policy from the outset.
- 50% of respondents said the maternity package offered by an employer would not affect their decision to accept a new job.
- 71% of respondents believed sharing maternity and paternity leave between parents is a good idea.
- 40% of respondents were unaware they could share maternity and paternity leave.
- Almost half (46%) of respondents thought their employer could do more to support those on maternity and paternity leave.
Craig Holt, founder of QualitySolicitors, said: “In today’s economic climate, women are understandably concerned about job security.
“Despite strong legal regulation to assist the employer and employee, a culture of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ has been allowed to develop.”
