The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (22 September 2000) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 480) and Family Status Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 527) in the District Court on behalf of a woman who was dismissed by her former employer upon her return to work following maternity leave.

The EOC has granted legal assistance in this case on the basis that the case raises a technical question concerning the scope of pregnancy discrimination where the dismissal of a woman occurs upon her return from maternity leave when she is no longer pregnant. The dismissal may also amount to discrimination on the ground of her family status, namely her status of having responsibility for the care of her new baby.

Enquiry: EOC Hotline       25118211