Pregnancy is defined in the Equality Act 2010 as being pregnant or expecting a baby.
Maternity refers to the period after a birth. In employment it is linked to maternity leave, and maternity-related discrimination can occur if a woman is treated unfavourably because:
- of her pregnancy
- of pregnancy-related illness
- she is on compulsory maternity leave (2 weeks or 4 weeks if she is working in a factory)
- she is exercising her right to take ordinary or additional maternity leave
In a non-work context, protection against discrimination based on pregnancy or maternity applies up to twenty six weeks after a birth. It includes treating a woman unfavourably because:
- of her pregnancy
- she has given birth within the past 26 weeks and/or because she is breastfeeding
