New Employment Rights Act Delivers Major Workplace Protections for Women
The government has announced that the new Employment Rights Act will introduce enhanced protections for pregnant women and new mothers, mandatory menopause action plans for large employers, and rights for parental leave from day one. These measures are set to roll out from next month, with government officials calling the legislation "a huge boost for women in the workplace."
Expanded Sick Pay Benefits Millions of Women
According to research from the Trades Union Congress, approximately 4.7 million women will benefit from stronger sick pay provisions starting in April. This includes more than 830,000 women who will receive statutory sick pay for the first time. These are the lowest-paid workers who currently earn below the threshold of £125 per week and have been ineligible for sick pay benefits.
"For too long women have borne the brunt of a sick pay system that is not fit for purpose, and a culture of exploitative, insecure work," said Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary. "That's why the Employment Rights Act is an important step forward for women at work."
The TUC emphasized that low-paid workers, particularly women, have missed out on any form of sick pay for too long, often forcing them to work while ill rather than lose income.
Day-One Parental Leave Rights
Under the new legislation, fathers and partners will gain day-one rights to paternity leave, while all parents will receive day-one rights to unpaid parental leave. This represents a significant expansion of parental rights that previously required minimum employment periods before eligibility.
A government spokesperson stated: "The Employment Rights Act is a huge boost for women in the workplace – introducing enhanced protections for pregnant women and new mothers, menopause action plans for large employers and rights for parental leave from day one. Women thriving in the workplace is not just important for equality but for boosting economic growth."
The Persistent Motherhood Penalty
Research from last year revealed that mothers lose an average of £65,618 in pay by the time their first child turns five, highlighting what experts call the "motherhood penalty." The Office for National Statistics found that women in England experience a "substantial and long-lasting reduction" in their pay after having children, as they become less likely to remain in paid employment.
The analysis, which tracked pay data from 2014 to 2022, showed women's average monthly earnings fell by 42%, or £1,051 per month, five years after the birth of their first child compared to their pay one year before the birth.
Existing Parental Leave Framework
The new legislation builds upon existing parental leave provisions. Shared parental leave, introduced in 2014, allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay after the birth or adoption of a child. Currently, new fathers can take two weeks' paid leave at a rate of either £187.18 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
The Employment Rights Act represents the most significant expansion of workplace protections for women in recent years, addressing long-standing gaps in sick pay eligibility and parental leave rights that have disproportionately affected female workers.
