Democratic presidential candidate and billionaire businessman, Michael Bloomberg told his pregnant employee to "kill it" after she disclosed her pregnancy, a lawsuit has alleged. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communication said: "Outrageous comments such as these can pressure women to have an abortion in order to protect their career. These comments are not appropriate for any employer."

The allegations emerged following a 1997 lawsuit which accused Bloomberg of numerous inappropriate behaviours in the workplace. His comments have now re-surfaced for further public scrutiny following his candidature for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Allegedly, Bloomberg followed up his comment to "kill it" by advising the employee to have an abortion and remarking: "Great! Number 16", apparently referring to the number of pregnant employees on his payroll.  

Bloomberg, who was the Mayor of New York 2002-2013, is known for his extreme pro-abortion stance. In recent years he  donated  $250,000  to the abortion giant, Planned Parenthood. He has also supported the censorship of pro-life groups.

Mr Robinson said: "It is not difficult to imagine a scenario in which such negative workplace attitudes towards pregnancy and motherhood make a woman feel she ought to have an abortion in order to protect her career.

"It is important that women in the workplace do not have their job security threatened because of pregnancy. Negative workplace attitudes towards pregnancy and motherhood 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."

Negative workplace attitudes creating pressure to abort

A report from the UK 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.

Earlier this year, a pregnant NHS worker was subjected to discrimination after her manager asked if her pregnancy was planned and whether the cost of maternity leave would come out of the team budget.

Mr Robinson added: "Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is not a matter of isolated incidents but is part of a growing hostility towards pregnancy and motherhood."