NEW and expecting parents are being sacked or facing unfair treatment at “alarmingly high” rates as they are caught in a “perfect storm” of economic strain, new data shows.

And women continue to bear the brunt of workplace discrimination on this issue, a TUC poll revealed today.

Its data revealed that more than one in seven women, 14 per cent, reported losing their job or felt forced to leave their position after becoming pregnant.

More than one in five women and one in 10 men were treated unfairly in the workplace when they were expecting children or recently had them, the TUC also said.

Analysing data from 3,000 workers in Britain, the TUC said the most common instances of unfair treatment included unsuitable workloads, unpleasant comments from employers and colleagues, being bullied by their boss, and being denied flexible working.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “[A] pervasive culture of mistreatment at work is robbing too many parents of that experience. Some are even being forced out of their jobs.

“Change can’t come soon enough. The Employment Rights Act will deliver long-overdue protections for families across the country.

“Government must now ensure that these new rights are introduced in full as quickly as possible.”

Separate data from the Modern Families Index found that carers were caught in a “perfect storm” of economic strain and rising care demands.

Its analysis, which relied on data from 3,000 working parents and carers in Britain, said one in five, 21 per cent, used sick leave for time for care emergencies and that mothers are 50 per cent more likely than men to say having children has affected their career negatively.

They also said 43 per cent of “sandwich” carers — meaning they may be supporting the needs of their children and their parents — are considering leaving their jobs.