We know from our own research that pregnant women who are Black, Asian or minority ethnic are more likely to be working in environments they consider unsafe. We also know from research at the University of Oxford, that women from these ethnic groups are four times more likely to be hospitalised with coronavirus. Of the five maternal Covid-19 deaths recorded in the UK, we know the identities of only three of theses mothers – Mary Agyapong, Salina Shaw and Fozia Hanif – all of whom were Black or Asian women. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommend that pregnant Black, Asian or minority ethnic women should be particularly stringent in adhering to social distancing, but this can be difficult if you work for a less than sympathetic employer.

We have a number of support services you can access including our helpline and our free legal advice line, but if you would prefer to chat to someone that might better understand your lived experience, we can arrange for you to speak directly to our volunteer  Tigho. She is CIPD qualified with knowledge of employment rights and understands first-hand the added layer of discrimination you might be experiencing. To arrange a call, please fill out the contact form below and an adviser will call you back.