The Maternity in the Workplace Conference 2024

While positive steps have been taken in recent years to support pregnant women and new mothers to remain in work, significant challenges remain. According to a 2023 survey from That Works for Me, only 24% of the women sampled go back to full-time work after having children, and 74% of that number ultimately end up leaving due to the challenges of parenting and full time employment. It is evident that employers must work resolutely to protect women from workplace discrimination, plan for maternity leave and safeguard the health and safety of pregnant employees before and after childbirth.

• Of 26,000 parents sampled, 43% were considering leaving their jobs due to childcare costs according to a March 2022 report from Pregnant Then Screwed
• Since the beginning of COVID 19, one in four pregnant women and new mums received unfair treatment or discrimination at work, according to a June 2020 report from TUC
• In that same timescale, one in 10 pregnant women said their commitment to work had been challenged by either their manager or employer, according to the same TUC report

Join us at The Maternity in the Workplace Conference 2024 to hear the latest guidance and initiatives on delivering high quality maternity support in the workplace. Learn from a range of best practice case studies covering a variety of key topics, including identifying and challenging maternity-based discrimination, making reasonable adjustments for pregnant women and new mothers as well as developing effective policies and resources to support employees after maternity leave in returning to work. There will also be the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from a range of organisations to discuss common challenges and solutions around creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Why Attend:
✓  High-level keynotes on the latest guidance and initiatives for improving maternity support in the workplace
✓  Case studies showcasing best practice in developing and implementing maternity policies that support women in the workplace
✓  Networking opportunities with senior colleagues from a range of settings
✓  4 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

This is a live event taking place online:
✓ Access a full live event with 4 hours of CPD points from home
✓ Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub
✓  Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking
✓ Review event materials and presentations post-event
✓ Receive additional resources to boost your learning and support you in your role

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.30

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

  Professor Heejung Chung, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Kent (Invited)

• 09.40

  Keynote: National Guidance on Improving Maternity Policies and Resources

  • Advice on developing a clearly communicated maternity policy and signposting staff to resources
  • Strategies for building an inclusive culture: facilitating allyship and establishing maternity staff networks
  • Conducting internal reviews to identify discrimination and potential barriers to workplace progression and success
  • Tips for accessing the latest round of health and wellbeing funding to support pregnant woman and new mothers in the workplace

  Gillian Unsworth, Head of Gender and Workplace Equality, Government Equalities Office (Invited)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Delivering Organisation-Wide, Holistic Maternity Support in the Workplace

  • Training and upskilling line managers to ensure maternity policies are delivered consistently organisation-wide
  • Establishing safe facilities to enable mothers to breastfeed and rest in the workplace
  • Recommendations for co-creating a maternity plan with employees to identify health and safety requirements and clarify workload
  • Guidance on facilitating shared and paternal leave to alleviate some of the strain on new and expectant mothers and support LGBTQ+ parents

  Dan Ellis, People Director, ACAS (Invited)

• 10.20

  Case Study: Creating an Inclusive Workplace Culture: Fostering Supportive Attitudes and Tackling Discrimination

  • Building an environment of open communication to facilitate discussions around maternity issues and establish expectations and boundaries
  • Training staff on problematic language and microaggressions to tackle unconscious bias
  • Implementing clear and effective reporting processes to ensure employees can easily report discrimination and receive swift responses
  • Allyship: establishing buddy and mentor systems to support returning mothers

  Fiona Thompson, Head of People Management, Lincolnshire County Council (Invited)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers 

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.20

  Creating a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace Culture to Improve the Experience of Expectant and New Mothers

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in changing workplace culture to create an inclusive work environment that supports staff throughout the maternity process, allowing you to share common challenges as well as solutions with colleagues from across the public sector.

• 11.45

  Case Study: Strategies for Supporting Employees to Return to and Stay in Work Post-Pregnancy

  • KIT days: guidance on supporting employees to return to work during maternity leave to maintain familiarity
  • Developing accessible flexible working policies that enable employees to manage caring responsibilities
  • Creating professional development plans to ensure returning mums are able to progress their careers after pregnancy
  • Maintaining communication channels with employees on maternity leave to share workplace changes and prepare for returning to work

  Harprit Hockley, Director of Culture and Organisational Development Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (Invited)

• 12.05

  Case Study: Using Digital Tools to Improve Maternity Support and Make Health and Safety Adjustments

  • Employing digital tools to track maternity leave and prepare for employee’s return to work
  • Insights into carrying out risk assessments to ensure tasks are suitable for pregnant women and new mothers
  • Collecting employee feedback on maternity policies and identifying common barriers and challenges through digital surveys
  • Key tips for using digital rostering to facilitate flexible working practices

  Karen Terry Weymouth, HR Strategy Director, University of Warwick (Invited)

• 12.25

  Case Study: Supporting Members of Staff Through Sickness During Maternity Leave

  • Ensuring staff know when to apply for maternity leave and communicating key dates to streamline the application process
  • Guidance on developing specialised IVF policies and resources to support employees throughout the IVF process
  • Provisions for supporting staff through sickness absences and making tailored reasonable adjustments
  • Delivering effective managerial support and providing employees with an easily accessible point of contact
  • Recommendations for sensitively managing challenging pregnancies or bereavements

  Alice Bee, Human Resources Project Lead, Police Federation (Invited)

• 12.45

  Question and Answers

• 13.05

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

Who Should Attend?

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision-makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public and Voluntary Sector: £260.00+VAT
• Private Sector: £425.00+VAT