Women allege pregnancy discrimination inside government departments

Women allege pregnancy discrimination inside government departments

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Twenty-four women working in the public sector have told Four Corners they have faced pregnancy discrimination at work, according to ABC News — Top Stories.

A former high-ranking counterterrorism official alleges she was denied flexible working arrangements after having a second child, with a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson stating her role evolved after the Bondi terrorist attack and required attendance five days a week.

Australia's public sector is meant to set the national standard for promoting gender equality in the workplace, but inside government departments, Four Corners has uncovered accusations of discrimination against mothers and pregnant women who work in public sector roles.

These women described being demoted, denied flexibility, turned down for promotions, and refused a comfortable place to breastfeed, with some being made redundant or let go after they fell pregnant or took parental leave.

Until June, Alisha Warner was a counterterrorism senior executive in the Department of Home Affairs, one of Australia's most powerful government departments, and had a flexible arrangement in which she worked full-time hours over four days before going on leave for her second baby.

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show Alisha's managers asked Human Resources for advice about Alisha's request to return on compressed working hours.