In today’s world, many working mothers are acutely aware of the challenges they face regarding pregnancy and their careers. Issues like the lack of guaranteed paid maternity leave and soaring daycare costs often pressure women to reconsider their professional paths after childbirth. Alarmingly, some women are even losing their jobs purely because they are pregnant. This was the catalyst for one determined mother, who decided to take matters into her own hands.
After being dismissed from her position upon revealing her pregnancy, British mom Emma Langley felt compelled to act. Emma, who was self-employed and deeply invested in a year-long project, was shocked when her client let her go as soon as they learned about her pregnancy. She expressed her disbelief to Think Progress: “I just couldn’t fathom that people would behave this way or believe they could get away with it.”
Following the birth of her child, Emma connected with other mothers who had endured similar injustices. “I was truly shocked by how many women shared identical experiences,” she recalled. Their stories inspired her to create a platform called Pregnant Then Screwed, where women could share their experiences of pregnancy-related discrimination in the workplace. Initially launched in the U.K., the site is expanding to include users from the U.S. and Spain this month. The U.K. version has already gathered around 450 stories, detailing everything from employers pressuring women to terminate their pregnancies to those being let go shortly after announcing their condition or just before maternity leave.
The testimonials on the site are disheartening. One woman recounted a chilling experience where, after a cold reception from her bosses regarding her pregnancy, she was terminated following a miscarriage. “I opted for the natural approach during my miscarriage and took time off as it unfolded. When I returned to work, I was handed a non-negotiable package to leave, which was comparable to what a tribunal might have awarded,” she shared. Another story highlighted a lost promotion tied to an announcement of pregnancy: “When I needed time off for fertility treatments, they assured me of a promotion but then hired someone above me instead. After I shared my pregnancy news, they rescinded the promotion.”
Sadly, I have my own story to tell. Shortly after discovering I was expecting my first child, I was laid off. Although my manager was unaware of my situation, searching for a new job during that time felt daunting. Fortunately, I secured a temp-to-hire position before my first trimester ended. I chose to keep my pregnancy under wraps until I was further along. My boss assured me that the “temp” status was just a formality, and I would transition to permanent employment after the temp period. Once I revealed my plans for a brief maternity leave, the conversation about my permanent status ceased entirely. During my first week of maternity leave, I received a letter stating that they had decided to let me go and pursue “a different direction.” Since I was still classified as “temp,” they were technically within their rights. I sensed that my status as a new mom played a role in this decision, yet I felt powerless to act.
The prevalence of such experiences is deeply troubling, and Emma’s initiative to raise awareness about the real women affected by this discrimination is a crucial step in the right direction. I felt isolated when it happened to me. I wish I had access to a resource like Pregnant Then Screwed to know that I wasn’t alone and that I could stand up against such treatment. Emma aims to advocate for changes to the laws and systems that support women better, and bringing attention to these stories is essential for fostering change.
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Summary:
Pregnant Then Screwed is a platform founded by Emma Langley, aiming to raise awareness of pregnancy discrimination faced by working mothers. Through shared experiences, it highlights the need for systemic changes to support women better in the workplace. The initiative is expanding its reach beyond the U.K. to the U.S. and Spain, helping women find solidarity and resources in their struggle against discrimination.