Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 (Rep. of Ireland)

Overview

The Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 is an important piece of legislation in Ireland that enhances and expands the rights and protections for pregnant employees and new mothers. The Act aims to promote the well-being and rights of pregnant employees and new mothers in Ireland. It provides for extended maternity leave, enhanced health and safety protections, and safeguards against discrimination. These provisions contribute to supporting working women during and after pregnancy, ensuring they can balance their employment and family responsibilities effectively.

Benefits of compliance:

• Reduces risk of discrimination claims and employment disputes.
• Prevents enforcement action and reputational harm.
• Supports ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), ISO 30414/30415 (human capital and inclusion) and ISO 37301 (compliance).
• Improves employee wellbeing, retention and trust.
• Demonstrates strong governance and duty of care.