Geneva: we must better protect working mothers

Giving birth to a child while working is risky. This is the sad observation made by around ten young mothers whom the “Tribune de Genève” met in recent weeks. Like Céline*, who found her belongings in a box the day she returned, several of them were fired upon returning from maternity leave.

We are not only talking about redundancies here. Some of our interlocutors were pushed towards the exit. Fewer files, fewer responsibilities, a change of position… Some even found themselves without an office or access to their computer upon their return. Not to mention those who were asked to reduce their work rate too significantly, preventing them from providing for their families.

Unions regularly see this: while “everything was going well” before maternity leave, organizational changes, planning changes and economic problems are cited to put an end to working relationships. However, several victims saw their positions put back for competition directly after their dismissal.

Last year in Geneva, around twenty women took legal action in similar cases. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Even if the law is theoretically on the side of the employees, starting a procedure costs money, time, and energy to make it likely that one has been wronged.

While parental leave has just been postponed in Geneva, companies must do everything to eliminate discrimination and pressure around their employees wishing to become mothers, in a societal model which leaves little room for maneuver. Beyond questions of equality and rights, these children also represent the workforce of tomorrow.

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Chloe Dethurens has been a journalist in the Geneva section since 2019. She has written for the Tribune de Genève since 2007. More informations

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