A London employment tribunal ruled that Haddi Camera, an administrator for East London NHS Foundation Trust, was subjected to treatment which was "objectively inappropriate and upsetting" and "manifestly made because of the claimant’s pregnancy."

An employment tribunal heard how line manager, Douglas-Obobi, initially congratulated Ms Camara on her pregnancy. However later asked Ms Camera "did you plan this?" and "will this have to come out of my budget?"

Three months later, Ms Camera had her contract of employment terminated.

Mrs Akers said: "It is important that women in the workplace do not have their job security threatened because of pregnancy. Pregnancy discrimination is not only illegal but can put pregnant women in an extremely vulnerable position at a time when their focus should be on their wellbeing and that of their unborn child."

Mrs Akers continued: "It is not difficult to imagine a scenario in which such negative workplace attitudes towards pregnancy and motherhood makes a woman feel pressured towards abortion in order to protect her career."

 

In 2019, SPUC reported on how pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is not a matter of isolated incidents but is part of a growing hostility towards pregnancy and motherhood.

A report from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy estimates that as many as 54,000 women each year may be fired or otherwise lose their role because of pregnancy or motherhood. The study also found that 1 in 5 women received negative comments or harassment related to pregnancy in the workplace.