Lawyers hit out this week at comments made by a controversial European MP (MEP) that businesses should not employ women of child-bearing age, and warned law firms to ignore him.

Controversial UK Independence Party MEP for Yorkshire and The Humber, Godfrey Bloom – who joined the European parliament’s women’s rights committee last week – told the media: ‘No self-respecting small businessman with a brain would ever employ a lady of child-bearing age. I am here to represent Yorkshire women who always have dinner on the table when you get home. I am going to promote men’s rights.’


Sara Morgan, an employment law partner at Leeds-based Brooke North, said law firms and other large employers of women accepting Mr Bloom’s advice could land themselves in serious trouble.


She said: ‘Anyone who takes Mr Bloom at his word could be in serious breach of employment legislation. Most employers have got to grips with the basic rules about maternity leave but there is a lot more to dealing fairly with pregnant employees than signing up to paid maternity leave.


‘Most forward-thinking companies understand their obligations under the current maternity rights legislation. Directors must make sure they put in place all the procedures and processes to ensure that they do not face an employment tribunal in the future,’ said Ms Morgan.


She said that law firms should pay particular heed, because more women than men are currently qualifying into the profession and the findings of employment tribunals demonstrate that ‘not all law firms are implementing correct procedures for women employees’.


Makbool Javaid, a partner in the employment department of DLA’s City office, said: ‘I think Mr Bloom’s remarks are hugely dangerous and it would be extremely foolish for anyone to adopt that approach.’


He said that law firms in general no longer preserved negative attitudes towards women employees, but that they still exist in some quarters.


He said: ‘The demographics – more women than men qualifying as solicitors – work against discriminatory practice. Also law firms cannot afford commercially the loss of reputation that accompanies charges of discrimination.’



Brooke North has issued a five-point plan explaining how firms should handle maternity rights. For details, contact Sara Morgan. E-mail: SCMM@brookenorth.co.uk.