25 September 2013

Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has claimed that up to 50,000 women every year lose their jobs after returning from maternity leave.

The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) has previously highlighted that the Coalition's latest shared parental leave scheme is too weak to improve equality between men and women, while the government's new shares-for-rights scheme goes as far as reducing maternity rights.

"Childcare is now as vital to our economic infrastructure as transport, housing or IT. It's not all about bricks, trains and cars and boys' toys. In the modern economy, half the workforce are women. And childcare is the vital economic infrastructure that helps women and all parents work," Ms Cooper said.

The IER believes tripartite negotiations between employers, the government and trade unions is the best way to strengthen employment rights for every worker, reduce discrimination, and boost the economy. Our new publication Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for collective bargaining sets out proposals for the implementation of wider collective bargaining and presents the historical, legal and political arguments for such a move.

In the coming months, the IER will also be hosting two conferences on Equality and Discrimination: one in London and one in Liverpool. Our expert speakers will discuss current concerns for equality activists, solicitors, and employees, as well as taking a broader look at how a more progressive culture for women at work can be formed.

Our Equality and Discrimination conferences are very popular and sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment:

Equality and Discrimination London: Click the image to find out more and book tickets

Equality and Discrimination Liverpool: Click the image to find out more and book tickets