Islamabad: The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPA) has declared the dismissal of a woman employee during her maternity leave as an act of harassment, imposing a fine of Rs500,000 on the employer and ordering the employee’s reinstatement.
The decision was issued after FOSPA heard a complaint filed by the woman employee. The ruling directs the private organization to pay a Rs500,000 penalty and restore the employee to her position after terminating her employment during maternity leave.
According to the decision, the employee had been granted six months of paid maternity leave from November 13, 2025, to May 13, 2026. However, during her leave, the management instructed her to return to work before the approved leave period had ended.
FOSPA stated that the complainant explained she was unable to resume duty early due to recovery from a C-section, the young age of her newborn child, and the lack of suitable childcare arrangements. Despite being on approved maternity leave, her official email account was deactivated without any disciplinary proceedings, warning, or show-cause notice.
The ruling further stated that the decision to terminate her employment was made while she was legally on approved maternity leave, and that she was pressured to resign before the expiry of her leave period.
FOSPA held that discrimination on the basis of maternity constitutes gender-based discrimination. As compensation for the harm caused to the complainant, the ombudsperson directed the employer to pay Rs500,000.
In addition, the organization has been directed to reinstate the employee and submit a compliance report, along with documentary evidence, to the Registrar within 15 days.
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