Mothers reveal horror stories of maternity leave discrimination

Discrimination against women seeking maternity leave is frequently hidden, due to the use of gagging orders, experts have told the Victoria Derbyshire BBC programme. Gagging orders can be placed on employees who have lost their jobs and have settled out of court.

Speaking to the programme, a worker called Emma (not her real name) explained how she was caught up in a misunderstanding with her boss at a beauty salon. "My boss said if I'm not going back to work, then I'd have to pay back all the maternity payment,” she said. Emma was then told she was no longer needed at the company.