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Returning to work: managing pregnancy and maternity at work

Last updated: 21 Dec 2018

Find out more about maternity discrimination.

Power to the Bump - Ask the midwife

Last updated: 28 Nov 2016

Videos with advice from experts at the Royal College of Midwives to help you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Young mums ‘ask the midwife’ in new #PowertotheBump video

Published: 28 Nov 2016

#PowertotheBump is back with a new video, answering the questions young expectant mums say are worrying them about their health and wellbeing at work.

Research report 15: Work and care: a study of modern parents

First Published: 07 Mar 2016

This report gives an overview of parents and their working and caring responsibilities in 2009.

Research report 16: Flexible working policies: a comparative review

First Published: 01 Apr 2009

This report looks at the effect of the UK 'right to request, and duty to consider, flexible working' on gender equality and access to flexible working for men and women.

Budget 2017: £5 million to help women returning to work

Published: 08 Mar 2017

The government has announced £5 million in the 2017 budget to extend schemes to help women returning to work after maternity leave.

Employment tribunal fees unlawful and discriminatory says Supreme Court

Published: 26 Jul 2017

Thousands of women and people in low income jobs have been denied their rights to justice by the existing rules on fees for employment tribunals.

Welcome progress on access to justice

Published: 26 Jul 2017

Supreme Court judgment is a positive step for access to justice, but

Preparing for pregnancy and maternity at work: a conversation guide for employees

First Published: 15 Sep 2017

Guidance for women in work, who have found out they are pregnant and are preparing for maternity leave.

Applying behavioural insights to reduce pregnancy- and maternity-related discrimination and disadvantage

First Published: 09 Nov 2017

This report looks at how evidence from behavioural science can offer new and innovative ways to change the behaviour of both employers and women.

Improving the relationship between line managers and female staff

First Published: 09 Nov 2017

This report outlines the results of a behavioural trial to test whether an online perspective-taking exercise improved line manager communication with female and pregnant employees.

Encouraging flexible recruitment: an email trial

First Published: 09 Nov 2017

This report outlines the results of a trial looking at whether tailored email messages can change behaviour among human resources professionals.

How to report questions about your health or disability before you are offered a job

Last updated: 21 Nov 2019

What are pre-employment health questions and how do you report them?

Supporting returning workers

Returners have a wealth of skills and experience that your organisation could benefit from. Find out how you can become more successful at hiring returners.

Reasons to be cheerful on International Women's Day

Published: 08 Mar 2018

Our role in tackling gender inequality – and reasons to be cheerful on International Women’s Day.

Unconscious bias training: no such thing as a quick fix

Published: 23 Mar 2018

Does unconscious bias training actually work to help create more inclusive workplace cultures?

Unconscious bias training: an assessment of the evidence for effectiveness

First Published: 23 Mar 2018

This report looks at the effectiveness of unconscious bias training and makes recommendations for employers, policymakers and human resource professionals

A quick guide to being a gender champion in your workplace

First Published: 25 May 2018

Become a gender champion to advance gender equality in the workplace. Here's how.

Pregnancy, maternity and shared parental leave: how to write a handover plan

First Published: 25 May 2018

Our guide explains how to write a handover plan before you go on maternity or shared parental leave.

Pressing for progress: women’s rights and gender equality in 2018

First Published: 23 Jul 2018

This report looks at the state of rights of women's rights in Great Britain in 2018. It assesses the progress that has been made since 2013 and makes recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments.