The charity and campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed has published new data that shows a sharp increase in the number of women being pushed out of their job when pregnant, during maternity leave or when returning from maternity leave.

Having surveyed 35,800 parents, the research shows that up to 74,000 women lose their jobs every year after getting pregnant or taking maternity leave. This is a stark increase of 37% from 54,000 in 2016, and proves the motherhood penalty is still alive and kicking.

The research, which was conducted in partnership with Women In Data, found that 12.3% of women are sacked, constructively dismissed or made redundant while pregnant, on maternity leave or within a year of returning from maternity leave. If scaled up to the general population, this could mean as many as 74,000 women a year are being pushed out of the workplace during one of the most pressurised times of their lives.

In addition, half of pregnant women, those on maternity leave and those returning from maternity leave say they had a negative experience at work. Of those who had a negative experience, one in five left their employer. Meanwhile, a third of women say they were sidelined or demoted while pregnant, on maternity leave or when they returned from maternity leave.

Despite this, just 2% of women who experience discrimination at work raise a tribunal claim.

The number of women losing their jobs after having children is rising, new research shows