HUNDREDS of women dressed as bandage-wrapped mummies will march today in cities across Britain to demand better rights for new mothers who are facing rising discrimination in the workplace.  

Protest organisers Pregnant Then Screwed, which provides an online platform for new mums to anonymously share their discrimination stories, say that employers are allowed to force out working mothers thanks to archaic legislation.

Findings by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) suggest that as many as 54,000 women are forced out of their jobs after returning from maternity leave and 390,000 experience negative or potentially discriminatory treatment at work each year — twice as many as a decade ago.

Some 53 per cent of working mums have also suffered from episodes of depression after poor treatment at work, Pregnant Then Screwed found after working with Gorvins solicitors.

Joeli Brearley, founder of the campaign group, said: “Bullying and harassment from employers and colleagues is a serious issue for returning mums — so when you are exhausted and vulnerable and desperately trying to get your career back on track, you can understand how this can take its toll on your mental health.”

Pregnant Then Screwed is calling for “recognition, respect and change,” and has organised marches this Halloween in London, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle from noon today.

One mum, who worked in a well-known university for two years before she fell pregnant, told Pregnant Then Screwed: "During the end of my maternity [a] new position — which I had created — came up. It was a more senior version of my role.

“When I asked to return part time, it was made quite clear that, as a return-to-work mum, unless I was prepared to work full time I would not get the role.”

Another mum said she requested to work a three-day week on return from maternity leave, but was told she was “too junior” to be allowed the option.

Pregnant Then Screwed is also fighting for mothers’ right to justice as less than 1 per cent of new mums who encounter discrimination bring tribunal claims against their employers.

This is largely because of the cost — Gorvins found that court costs deter almost half of women who suffer discrimination — and due to the three-month time limit which put off a further 14 per cent.

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, who will speak at today’s march, said: “It's absolutely shocking that so many women are forced out of work by pregnancy and maternity discrimination – and there's simply no excuse for this injustice
continuing.

“The current rules clearly aren’t working and it’s appalling that only 1 per cent of women affected by this discrimination are able to bring an employment tribunal claim.

“This discrimination can affect all pregnant women and new mothers in work — from teachers to social workers and employees at big firms — and it must be stopped.”

Pregnant Then Screwed wants to see the time limit increased to six months, as it could grant nearly 8,000 more women access to justice.

The group also wants the government to offer subsidised childcare from the age of six months — rather than three years-old — as well as shared parental leave for self-employed workers and improved paternity leave.

The House of Commons women and equalities committee undertook an inquiry in August and recommended the government make changes in laws to protect mums from dismissal, and offer women the right to return to their job after maternity leave.