
Let’s make pregnancy positive for us all
A community and education platform for women and business to realise the pregnancy journey as a positive catalyst for mutual growth.
Bumps and the Boardroom entered Virgin Media Business’ online competition #Voom as a Start-Up to launch a plan to change 100,000 Lives, reduce maternity discrimination and create a corporate culture that is inclusive of feminine values and mothers in business. By reframing the way we perceive pregnancy we know we can revolutionise the way mothers and business grow together.
Having spent 14 years working closely as a maternity therapist and coach with over 2000 high-potential women on their transition to motherhood, I have come to realise the correlation between having a baby and being successful in business. By challenging and reframing the belief that pregnancy provides business with a bundle of problems to solve and maternity leave is a drain on company resources, I’ve proved women, men and business can thrive when the experience of pregnancy and new motherhood is viewed and managed differently.
We have connected with leading women’s networks who are supporting us; male & female gender diversity champions, corporate businesses who are open to change and individuals who resonate with our message. We have hosted two cross-industry events sponsored by Barclays and Savills, become a HuffPostBlogger and seen articles published by The Guardian Women in Leadership; WeAreThe City and Selfish Mother.
We have met with the leading charities who are part of the Alliance for Pregnancy Discrimination and the Women’s Equality Party to share our plans.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has recently launched #PowertotheBump, a campaign to help young expectant and new mothers understand their rights at work. We support this but our plans go further: providing empowering solutions to women, men and business with the over-arching aim of creating a new normal where pregnancy is valued for the transformational experience it is – for the collective benefit of everyone.
The statistics on pregnancy discrimination at work are shocking. One in nine pregnant women in the workplace will lose their job as a result of unfair and unlawful treatment. Three in four mothers will experience some form of discrimination or negative experience. Almost half will face difficulties in negotiating a safe working environment. This costs everyone in lost talent, lost productivity, lost time, energy and wellbeing.
Please take a moment to become a Founder Member.
We believe the time is right for change and love to know you feel the same.
Thank you,
Lisa Barnwell and the Bumps and the Boardroom Team