The Equality Act 2010 was established to protect individuals from discrimination based on certain characteristics. Currently, these protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex & sexual orientation. However, reproductive status is not included in this list.

This omission leaves non-parents - whether by their choice, circumstance or inability to have children - vulnerable to discrimination. Non-parents often face bias in various aspects of life. According to a study by the University of British Columbia (UBC), childless workers are often perceived as lacking 'an important aspect of adult identity' leading to discrimination in professional settings. This is not only unfair but also goes against the principle of equality that should be upheld in all workplaces.

Feeling undervalued & exploited, non-parents often suffer from mental health issues & social exclusion resulting in an overall negative impact to health, career, & life quality. Often overlooked when compared to the opportunities, flexibility & benefits granted to parents, such as paid/unpaid leave, non-parents are expected to work more public holidays & anti-social shifts, causing disharmony. 

Making reproductive status a protected characteristic will ensure non-parents have equal access to flexible working arrangements (FWA), working from home (WFH) and work/life balance (WLB) policies, as well as the same healthcare policies & annual leave opportunities in the workplace, thus improving Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). Better interpersonal relations improves the economy and society in general.

It's time that the Equality Act 2010 reflects the diverse circumstances of all individuals by including reproductive status as a protected characteristic. Please sign this petition today and stand up for equal treatment for everyone regardless of their parental status!

This petition was started due to an overwhelmingly supportive response to an article I wrote in The Daily Mail UK, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12860533/Why-childless-woman-Ive-quit-job-bear-Christmas-picking-slack-working-mums.html which went viral and saw me receiving hundreds of responses from around the world, including these:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to study: https://www.shrm.org/content/shrm/us/en/topics-tools/news/managing-smart/--whats-like-childfree-work--2022-study-.html

 

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