18 May 2004 - Questionnaire Shows Poor Response of Duty to Pregnant Workers
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) has recently carried out a questionnaire of its 333,000 members who were new or expectant mothers relating to employers' performance of duties under r.16 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The results show that as few as 30% of new and expectant mothers are informed of the outcome of risk assessments relating to the change in their circumstances.
Sir Bill Connor, Usdaw General Secretary commented:
"Risk assessments are not voluntary, they are required under legally-binding employment regulations. Companies need to scrutinise their health and safety procedures - because too many managers clearly have no idea what they have to do to ensure women are not put at any risk during pregnancy. The current trend cannot continue."
You can find more information on what employers must do to comply with the Regulations on the Equal Opportunities Commission Website for Legal Advisers here.
