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Pregnant Then Screwed cover art

Pregnant Then Screwed

By: Joeli Brearley
Narrated by: Heather Long, Thomas Judd, Nicky Diss, Kristin Atherton, Julie Teal
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Summary

An eye-opening exploration of modern motherhood packed with practical advice on navigating discrimination in the workplace.  

Imagine suddenly being sacked from your job. After spending years building your career, it’s all taken away in just one moment. Why? Because you told your boss you are pregnant. 

This happened to Joeli Brearley. And she quickly realised she wasn’t alone - 54,000 women a year are forced out of their job because they dared to procreate, and three quarters of working mothers face workplace discrimination. And this was before the pandemic, with its never-ending cycle of extraordinary childcare challenges and overt pregnancy and maternity discrimination, resulting in a tsumani of mothers exiting the labour force.

Pregnant Then Screwed is an expose of the unscrupulous work practices and antiquated systems that we’ve been conditioned to accept and a toolkit for how to challenge them. It’s full of practical advice to help you navigate systemic barriers when they slap you in the face. 

Whether you’re a mother who is sick of being sidelined, undermined, and underpaid. A ''stay at home'' mother who wants to work but can't. A future parent who is scared that having children will affect your career. An employer who wants to get the best out of its parent employees, or you simply want a stronger, fairer economy, Pregnant Then Screwed is a compelling manifesto for change and a call to arms for all women. 

©2021 Joeli Brearley (P)2021 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Joeli is one of the most tenacious and impressive campaigners I know, and her work has had a massive positive impact on the lives of thousands of women. Her work is invaluable, from setting up a vital lifeline for women to learn about their rights on maternity discrimination, to the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis, where she battled for women not to be left out of the picture altogether." (Laura Bates)

"It’s the book that proves working mothers are shamefully mistreated." (Daily Mail)

"Brearley’s book leaves no stone unturned in what needs to be done to remedy these problems going forward." (Vogue UK)

What listeners say about Pregnant Then Screwed

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Amazing....and Terrifying!

As a young female invested in my career. This book really resonated but also terrified me. Is there a way to be a Mum AND successful in today's world?!

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Insightful, sorrowful, funny. Revolution is coming

It wasn't always an easy listen, it shouldn't be. But I reflected on my experience and gained knowledge.
Thank you! Society needs this book!

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Compulsory reading!

A jaw dropping read, brimming with hard facts but also a warmth that feels like a good mate talking you through a tough time. This should be compulsory reading for parents, politicians, policy makers and HR representatives.

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Informative, inspiring, call to action

A must-read - for fathers, mothers, employers, colleagues, and anyone remotely involved in governing. Brilliant to have the issues around pregnancy & motherhood laid out, with reference to policy (primarily UK but other countries included as comparison/examples throughout) but importantly also including real-life accounts of how these issues can play out for women & families.

The clear solutions Joeli lays out do a great job of balancing the anger that some of the real-life accounts can inspire. An excellent call to action.

Policy details can go over your head if you’re multi-tasking, but it’s so nice to have them in there if you want to rewind and get the detail!

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A manifesto for a much fairer Britain

This is a brilliantly researched and written book that lays bare so many of the hypocrisies, idiocy and policymaking that continues to widen the gender gap and penalise pregnant women in British society. Brilliantly and charismatically narrated, this is one to read and share. ESPECIALLY FOR MEN.

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loved it

I think every pregnant woman should listen or read. it's good to be aware.

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everyone in society needs to read this

as someone who is currently pregnant, it was difficult to listen too, but this book so perfectly and accurately articulates one of the biggest Injustices within UK society today. I liked how it highlighted the problems and proposed strongly backed arguments and solutions, to the author, thankyou for writing such a powerful book and thankyou for starting pregnant then screwed. it is people like you who understand and make us feel like we are not alone and when we truly feel the most vulnerable in our lives.

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A must read for all parents and employers

This book was really eye opening on several levels.
It is a must read for couples with children, planning to have children, employers and well, people in general. I really enjoyed reading this book.

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Everyone should read this book!

This book truly opened my eyes to the Motherhood penalty! It has made me reflect on my own experiences as a woman and a mother and has helped me to understand why I left my profession to become self employed. I've never felt so emotional listening to a book - from anger and sadness one minute to smiling from ear to ear the next! It has been expertly written with facts and data the driving force throughout. This book will have a positive impact on everyone that reads it!

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Must read

Loads of statistic but some eye opening things, definitely must read for everyone when starting their career

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