In today’s workforce, many women, particularly working mothers, are acutely aware of the challenges surrounding pregnancy and childbirth as they relate to their careers. The lack of mandated paid maternity leave and skyrocketing daycare expenses often deter women from returning to work after having a child. Even more alarming is the reality that some women are losing their jobs simply due to their pregnancy status. One courageous mother decided to take a stand after experiencing this first-hand.
After being dismissed from her job upon announcing her pregnancy, Sarah Thompson, a self-employed mother from the U.K., was stunned by the unfair treatment. “I was shocked that people would act this way and even more surprised they believed they could get away with it,” she shared with a news outlet. Following the birth of her child, Sarah connected with other mothers who had similarly faced discrimination, saying, “I was appalled by the number of women with comparable experiences.” Their stories motivated her to create a platform called Pregnant Then Screwed, where women could share their experiences of discrimination from employers due to their pregnancy or motherhood. Initially launched in the U.K., the website is now expanding to include the United States and Spain, having gathered around 450 accounts of discrimination thus far.
The testimonials featured on the site are distressing. One woman recounted how, after a cold reception from her bosses regarding her pregnancy, she was let go following a miscarriage. “I took the necessary time off for my miscarriage, and when I returned, I was handed a non-negotiable severance package that was comparable to what a tribunal might award,” she explained. Another mother described losing a promotion after revealing her pregnancy, stating, “They promised me a promotion but then hired someone else for that role after I announced I was pregnant.”
Regrettably, I could share a similar experience. Shortly after discovering I was expecting my first child, I found myself laid off. Although my manager wasn’t aware of my pregnancy at the time, the thought of job hunting was daunting. Luckily, I secured a temp-to-hire position before the end of my first trimester, choosing to keep my pregnancy under wraps until further along. Despite reassurances from my boss about transitioning to a permanent role, after informing them of my maternity leave plans, all discussions about my status ceased. During my first week of maternity leave, I received a letter stating my position was terminated as they were taking the company in “a different direction.” Since I was still technically a temp, they were within their rights to do so, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that my new mom status played a significant role in this decision.
The prevalence of such incidents is deeply troubling. Sarah’s platform aims to shed light on the real women affected by this discrimination, fostering a community where they can share their stories. Reflecting on her efforts, she stated, “I want to see structures, systems, and laws changed to better support women.” By amplifying these voices, the hope is to spark meaningful change in the workplace for mothers everywhere.
For those navigating their own fertility journeys, check out this informative post on couples fertility journey for intracervical insemination. Furthermore, understanding the implications of certain medications during pregnancy is crucial; refer to this authoritative source on teratogens for more information. For additional insights into IVF and pregnancy, the NHS provides excellent resources.
In summary, ‘Pregnant Then Screwed’ is a vital initiative that empowers women to share their experiences with pregnancy discrimination, encouraging systemic change to support working mothers.