Consultation: Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers

11 November 2025

The Government has launched a Consultation (CP) with the policy aim of strengthening workplace protections against dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers. It is anticipated that any measures will be implemented in 2027.

If new dismissal protections are implemented they will set a much higher bar for employers to justify dismissing pregnant women and new mothers during the protected period, requiring clear evidence of necessity and significant risk or harm. This represents a significant potential shift in the balance of employment protections and employer flexibility with significant legal and practical implications particularly in relation to HR policies, recruitment, and risk management.

This briefing provides a high-level overview of the proposed reforms and practical implications.

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