The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 was the first legislation to protect against discrimination on the grounds of sex or marital status .
Dismissal for pregnancy - related reasons is qualified as automatically unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996 .
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 was the first legislation to protect against discrimination on the grounds of sex or marital status , while dismissal for pregnancy - related reasons is qualified as automatically unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996 .