TUC exposes “pay penalty” for young mothers

Women experience a “pay penalty’ for having children early, TUC research has found. Women who become mothers before the age of 33 earn 15% less than those who haven’t had children.

This is partially due to the poor treatment young mothers experience in the workplace. One fifth of young mothers reported being forced out of the workplace because of pregnancy or maternity leave.

The report, released to coincide with International Women’s Day, shows women who do not choose to have children are also penalised: older mothers who work full-time get a wage bonus of 12% compared to full-time women without children.

The reality is likely worse than the figures, the TUC warns, due to the figures only capturing full-time mothers. Women disproportionate undertake caring work for older children or other relatives which put pressure on their working life, exacerbating the pay gap.

The gender pay gap between all full-time women and men in work is 34 per cent. Men earned £516 billion, compared to the £272 billion women earned, in 2014.

Frances O’Grady outlined what should be done for young mothers:

“We need to do far more to support all working mums, starting by increasing the number of quality part-time jobs and making childcare much more affordable.

“Women in full-time, well-paid jobs shouldn’t be the only ones able to both become parents and see their careers progress. All women worried about their pay and conditions should join a union to get their voices heard and their interests represented.”

This follows a warning from the TUC that Brexit could harm workers’ rights. Equal pay, maternity leave and redress for sexism in the workplace are all legislated for by the EU, protecting them against domestic governments that may threaten them.

The Conservatives have been criticised for threatening workplace equality in government. Over two thirds of Surestart centres, which the last Labour Government introduced to provide free childcare, have been cut by the Conservatives. This has been coupled with the introduction of tribunal fees of £1,200, as well as regulations stating that tribunals must be pursued within three months of the incident, both of which add significant challenges for women seeking to redress discrimination or harassment in the workplace.