Pregnant women face workplace hostility and ‘sham redundancies’, Australian human rights report finds

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The Australian Human Rights Commission report reveals that pregnant women and new mothers in Australia frequently experience workplace discrimination through tactics like sham redundancies, reduced shifts, and hostile environments. These persistent issues disproportionately impact vulnerable groups and highlight the urgent need for updated legal protections and supportive workplace policies to promote gender equality.

Pregnant women and new mothers in Australia continue to face significant challenges in the workplace, including discriminatory practices such as “sham redundancies,” loss of shifts, and hostile environments, according to a report released this week by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). The findings highlight persistent parental discrimination as a major obstacle to gender equality.

The report, developed after consultations with parents, legal experts, and community advocates, underscores that pregnancy discrimination disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including immigrant and First Nations women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

One case study featured in the report involves Luisa*, an experienced human resources manager in the healthcare sector who was made redundant just one month after informing her employer of her pregnancy. Despite offering to work part-time and having a partner prepared to take parental leave, her employer questioned Luisa’s support system due to her family residing overseas. The redundancy proceeded regardless.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody called for urgent reforms to the Sex Discrimination Act, arguing that legislative protections have not kept pace with societal changes. Cody explained that many women delay informing employers about pregnancies out of fear of repercussions such as reduced shifts, heightened performance scrutiny, or premature job terminations disguised as redundancies — practices she termed “sham redundancies.”

A 2014 national review by the AHRC revealed that nearly half of mothers reported discrimination during pregnancy, parental leave, or upon returning to work. However, Cody noted that it remains unclear whether conditions have improved since then. She stressed the need for renewed government funding for comprehensive surveys to better understand the current landscape.

Supporting this call, a 2024 University of South Australia survey of 1,048 parents found alarming rates of discrimination: 89% during pregnancy, 85% while on parental leave, and 92% upon returning to work. Complaints lodged with the AHRC have increased in recent years, rising from 52 in 2023 to 71 projected in 2025, with even higher numbers reported at the Fair Work Commission. Despite this, many parents avoid formal complaints due to the burden of proof required and fear of further repercussions.

The AHRC’s report also highlights other challenges new parents face, including reduced responsibilities, fewer shifts, limited professional development opportunities, and difficulties accessing flexible work arrangements or safe breastfeeding conditions. Another case detailed in the report describes Michelle, who lost her job after requesting longer shifts to care for her children and a terminally ill family member. Similarly, Emily reported being discouraged from taking lactation breaks at a tech start-up, despite the company providing suitable facilities, leading her to cease breastfeeding earlier than intended.

The AHRC emphasizes that these ongoing issues reflect deeply ingrained workplace cultures and systemic barriers, calling for stronger protections and more supportive policies to ensure that pregnancy and parental status do not hinder employment opportunities.

*Name changed by the Australian Human Rights Commission to protect privacy.

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