Between cultures and challenges: First‐generation British South Asian women's experiences of discrimination, intersectionality and woman‐to‐woman support in the workplace

Abstract Women from ethnically minoritised groups navigate challenges in the Western workforce using unique strategies. However, less is known about multicultural women's workplace experiences. The current study aimed to examine the research question: How do multicultural first‐generation British South Asian women experience intersectionality in the workplace, and what role does woman‐to‐woman support play in such experiences? We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 15 first‐generation British South Asian women in the United Kingdom (UK). Participants were asked about (a) the impact of their identities on their employment and (b) the role of woman‐to‐woman support. Thematic analysis revealed that multicultural South Asian women living in the UK experience workplace discrimination due to their single‐group identity (e.g., being South Asian) and their intersectional identities (e.g., being a South Asian woman). Moreover, contextual factors (e.g., workplace demographics) and individual‐level factors (e.g., accent) offered protection against workplace discrimination. Participants also received practical and emotional woman‐to‐woman support; notably, support rooted in cultural understanding was especially effective. Our findings demonstrated the importance of social and community contexts in shaping British South Asian women's individual and social functioning. These findings held implications by providing a multicultural and intersectional lens for understanding workplace inclusivity and diversity.