I have coined the phrase 'pregnant presenteeism' to describe the situation where 'pregnant presentees' stay at work, pretending to employers and colleagues that they are 'functioning normally' even when they are seriously ill (regardless of whether their ill-health is due to pregnancy or for other reasons).

Perhaps it is unsurprising that pregnant employees go to such lengths to maintain career progress and counter unfair (and in research terms, unsubstantiated) assumptions that pregnancy and poor health might reduce maternal commitment to paid work. Just lately, the press has been full of stories about the maternity 'gap' and how 50,000 women every year struggle to retain their jobs following maternity leave.

My own study of maternity and employment shows how women seek to align themselves with the image of a healthy, robust worker in order to keep their jobs during pregnancy and after maternity leave.

The desire to avoid sickness absence proved just about manageable for those who were well during pregnancy, even if they experienced symptoms of tiredness and nausea.

Such ambitions were more problematic, however, for women who experienced ill health during pregnancy. For some pregnant workers, the compulsion to appear healthy and reliable at work meant they remained present at work even during episodes of serious ill health.

Through my research I seek to challenge the situation where pregnant employees are so fearful of losing their jobs that they take risks with their own health. Such challenges are pivotal to the pursuance of equal opportunities at work for both mothers and fathers which, despite years of equal opportunities legislation, remain absent from some workplaces.

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