I’m currently campaigning (with the support of Maternity Action and Pregnant then Screwed to change the Equality Act 2010. It currently does not contain clear definitions of, or guidance on:

• What pregnancy is (medical and legal definitions vary)
• What the end of a pregnancy is
• What ‘pregnancy related illness’ is – currently there is no legal concept of this, meaning you can only have a normal illness, or a (successful) pregnancy.

Currently women in my position, who continue to suffer from an illness related to pregnancy, but sadly no baby – are provided no legal protection against workplace sexual discrimination (amongst other things) after 2 short weeks of a ‘pregnancy protected period.’

I believe that by creating clear legal definitions and a defined legal construct of ‘pregnancy-related illness’ is, support will be there for thousands of women who desperately need and deserve it.

My experience of redundancy so soon after a traumatic miscarriage and consequential illness has made me very aware from personal experience of the importance of having strong occupational health and wellbeing systems in place.

If you would like to contribute or be involved in any way, please contact me by clicking on the button below.

MY STORY

“In 2016, I was made redundant weeks after returning to work after a long and traumatic miscarriage. I am sharing my experience to help break the silence around miscarriage; 1 in 4 pregnancies sadly end this way though we never talk about what actually happens during a miscarriage, or what families are going through. I hope that by sharing my story and encouraging others to do the same we can build understanding and the necessary support.”