Pregnancy discrimination, unaffordable parental leave and rising childcare costs continue to force thousands of women out of the workforce, according to one of the UK’s largest studies into pregnancy, parenthood and employment.
Produced by campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed in partnership with Women in Data, the State of the Nation 2026 report draws on responses from more than 5,000 women to examine the realities of balancing work and family life across the UK.
The findings highlight the ongoing challenge of attracting, retaining and progressing female talent, with the report arguing that the ‘motherhood penalty’ remains embedded across many workplaces.
Nearly three-quarters of mothers surveyed said they had experienced pregnancy or maternity discrimination at work, while more than one in three left their employer after experiencing discrimination.
The report also found that financial pressures are preventing many parents from taking the leave they are entitled to. More than four in five mothers who returned to work earlier than planned said they did so because they could not afford to remain on maternity leave.
Flexible working also remains a significant issue. Despite growing recognition of its importance for employee retention and wellbeing, many parents continue to report having requests refused, making it harder to balance work with caring responsibilities.
Childcare affordability and availability were identified as further barriers to workforce participation. The research found that childcare costs continue to influence whether mothers return to work, pursue career progression or even decide to have more children. Even where families can afford childcare, many struggle to find provision that aligns with working hours or supports children with additional needs.
The report suggests the impact is felt most acutely by single parents, disabled parents, parents of disabled children and lower-income families. Nearly one in five single mothers do not return to work following maternity leave, while 16% of mothers caring for disabled children leave the workforce altogether.
Researchers also found many women continue to hide fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and abortion from employers due to concerns about workplace repercussions.
Pregnant Then Screwed says the findings demonstrate that the motherhood penalty is not the result of a single event, but a combination of workplace, economic and social barriers that continue throughout many women’s careers.
For employers facing ongoing skills shortages and retention challenges, the report highlights the potential value of reviewing parental leave policies, flexible working practices, childcare support and manager training to create more inclusive workplaces and improve long-term employee retention.
Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash
