In a disheartening revelation, a recent study conducted by the University of South Australia has uncovered that, even after twenty years of legislative prohibition, pregnant women and working parents are still enduring prevalent discrimination in their workplaces.
The landmark investigation, helmed by UniSA researcher Dr Rachael Potter, is the country’s first nationwide examination of the challenges faced by expectant mothers and working parents since 2014. The study demonstrates distressingly scant progression over the intervening years, bringing to light the enduring struggles encountered by these demographics in their professional lives.
An overwhelming 60% of new mothers reintegrating into their work environments reported that they often found their opinions neglected, experienced feelings of exclusion, or were burdened with insurmountable workloads.
The research findings also revealed that a substantial 25% of the surveyed women stated that their workplaces did not provide suitable facilities for breastfeeding. Moreover, nearly one in five women disclosed that their requests to work flexibly or from home were refused.
While the research project has already gathered responses from over 550 women and new caregivers, the team is still looking for more individuals to participate.
Dr Potter has expressed her concern over the results garnered thus far, noting that the study “not only highlights existing discrimination faced by pregnant women and new parents returning to work, but also offers valuable insights into the areas that require improvement.”
Among the other key findings of the study, an alarming 30% of pregnant women received no guidance regarding their forthcoming leave entitlements, despite it being a mandatory legal provision. An equally unsettling 23% of women stated that they felt compelled to conceal their pregnancy at work.
While on leave, 22% of women found their tasks or job altered against their will. A staggering 73% wished for longer maternity leaves to care for their children, while 38% reported enduring negative or offensive comments regarding taking time off work for child care. Worryingly, 13% felt so aggrieved that they had to quit their jobs.
Less frequent, yet equally shocking, were testimonies from women who were made redundant, denied contract renewal, or refused toilet breaks during pregnancy and leave for medical appointments.
Survey respondents shared candid experiences, shedding light on the systemic challenges they faced due to their pregnancy and parental status.
Dr Potter and her team are encouraging more individuals to take part in the survey. The study aims to unearth the issues pregnant women, working mothers, and new parents face, using the gathered evidence to lobby for improvements in workplace practices and stricter governmental policies.
For those interested in contributing to this significant body of research, further information and options for feedback are available here.
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