We aim to fully support you if you are pregnant or are a parent at the university, and we understand that this may have an impact on your studies or work from time to time. 

If you are pregnant, we want to ensure that your time on Campus is a comfortable one during this time. If you are a parent, we appreciate your responsibilities and would like to offer you relevant support.

The University has committed to the Working Forward pledge, a national campaign run by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This pledge focuses on improving practice to support expectant staff and new parents, from expecting a baby through to settling back in at work.

Definition of pregnancy and maternity 

A pregnant person is protected against discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity during the period of their pregnancy and any statutory maternity leave to which they are entitled.

For education and service providers, protection has been expanded to people outside of the workplace from discrimination that arises as a result of pregnancy and maternity. For staff, it is unlawful to consider an employee's period of absence due to a pregnancy-related illness when making a decision about their employment.

Breastfeeding parents are also protected.  So for example, it would be discriminatory to ask someone to leave a university restaurant because they are breastfeeding their baby.  This protection extends for the period that the parent breastfeeds their baby (including after 26 weeks).