Their month long campaign coincides with International Women's Day on 8 March, #BreakTheBias.
Martin Searle Solicitors' Employment Law team have found the pandemic resulted in a notable increase in women seeking advice about sex discrimination at work.
The Women's Budget Group reports twice as many women than men in the bottom 10% of earners, leaving them vulnerable in a faltering economy.
In December 2021 the Institute for Fiscal Studies reported wage inequality increases vastly after parenthood, implying unpaid care work associated with motherhood is shaping inequalities at work.
Sexual harassment at work remains an issue. In 2020 the Government Equalities Office found 30% of women had experienced sexual harassment , whilst only 51% thought their employer was tackling the issue..
Women also experience discrimination when they reach menopause. A 2019 survey by BUPA and CIPD found 3 in 5 menopausal women were negatively affected at work and almost 9 million women left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms.
Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law, says: "Women continue to be discriminated against in the workplace due to stereotyped notions about women's abilities and their worth. Presenteeism remains a huge problem in the UK and taking time off to have children is seen as a lack of commitment. And we see that pregnancy and maternity discrimination is still rife. There needs to be a huge cultural shift for this to change as well as access to affordable employment law advice so businesses meet the legal obligations."
Martin Searle Solicitors have a series of factsheets, case studies and FAQs for employers and employees covering sex equality on their website.
On Thursday 24 March, from 1pm - 2pm, Martin Searle Solicitors will run a free virtual seminar on 'Sex Equality - Best Practice for Employers'.
They will also run a free virtual workshop for employee advisers and Trade Union representatives on 'Sex Equality Rights in the Workplace' on Thursday 31 March from 1- 2pm.
Martin Searle Solicitors are also offering employers and employees free confidential advice regarding sex equality at work. Their legal helpline is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout March - 3.30pm to 5.30pm on 01273 609911.
