'Inhumane' | Some bosses have insinuated their pregnant workers should have an abortion

Working mothers are sharing their shocking experiences during and post-pregnancy in a new report by maternity campaigners Pregnant then Screwed. One woman, 'Connie' reported that her boss told "it would be easier for your future career if you just brought a coat hanger”.

'Connie' is one of 1.62% of women who reported that their boss insinuated that they should end their pregnancy, along with one in 10 women revealing they were bullied or harassed when pregnant or returning to work. Seven per cent of women lost their job - either through redundancy, sacking, or feeling forced to leave due to a flexible working request being declined or due to health and safety issues.

Connie added that three colleagues went on to tell Connie that she had ruined her career and should have had an abortion. Joeli Brearley, CEO and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed shared her shock at the new figures, branding the findings 'inhumane'.

Read more from us

Living with loss | Why your pregnancy loss policy should include abortion and adoption

“These stats show how far we have to go before mothers are truly accepted as equal members of the workplace. We know that women are treated differently from the point they get pregnant. They are viewed as distracted and less committed to their work, despite there being no change to their performance. This bias plays out in numerous ways, affecting women’s earnings and career potential. There is absolutely no excuse for bosses, who hold the power, to tell their employee to abort a pregnancy. It is sex discrimination and it is inhumane."