Over 100 Australian women lost jobs after telling employers they were pregnant
An ABC investigation found over 100 women who lost their jobs after announcing pregnancy.
Abby McCawley worked as a rental property manager at Ray White Brunswick. Abby was five months into the job.
Abby's boss fired her days after she announced her pregnancy. Abby had never been warned about her work.
Four Corners spoke to over 100 women. They lost their jobs after becoming pregnant or having a child.
Many worked for Australia's largest companies and government agencies. Lawyers found a pattern.
Employers deny remote work requests. They suddenly criticise performance that was previously fine.
Or they claim a restructure while quickly refilling the same role. One factory worker's hours were cut from 40 to 24 per week.
She asked for different shifts partly due to pregnancy-related pain. Casual workers appear especially vulnerable.
The investigation shows an unwritten playbook. Employers use it to push mothers out of the workforce.
- over 100
- Women affected
- Ray White Brunswick
- Employer
- 5 months
- McCawley's tenure
Why it mattersPregnancy discrimination costs women income, careers, and financial security at a critical life moment. It reveals gaps in workplace protections despite anti-discrimination law.
AustraliaAustralian women routinely lose jobs or income due to pregnancy despite legal protections, affecting their financial stability and ability to prepare for parenthood.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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