The un-acknowledged relationship between shared parental leave, breastfeeding and workplace support in UK   Universities

Dr. Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi; Dr. Anjali Raj Westwood

doi:10.47742/ijbssr.v2n12p1

Authors

Dr. Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi York St John University
Dr. Anjali Raj Westwood York St John University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47742/ijbssr.v2n12p1

Keywords:

Shared Parental Leave, Breastfeeding, Maternity Policies, Organisational Culture, Education

Abstract

Gender equality is integral to a universities’ strategy and agenda. However, there is a gap when looking through the lens of shared parental leave (SPL) or breastfeeding. This research investigates the causal relationship between SPL, breastfeeding, and workplace support. A survey targeting women working in UK Higher Education Institutions was conducted between February and July 2021, and 49 completed responses were recorded. Women reported knowledge of SPL but not all workplaces were offering SPL, it wasn’t easily accessible and often too complex to understand. Breastfeeding policies and workplace resources were minimal. Lack of breastfeeding support on return to work affected women’s decision to take SPL. Recommendations include the creation of more accessible policies (SPL and breastfeeding), providing examples of parents who have utilized SPL, dissemination of information on SPL and breastfeeding when women announce their pregnancy and on return to work, and adequate resources in the workplace to support breastfeeding mothers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Almqvist, A., Duvander, A. (2014). Changes in gender equality? Swedish fathers’ parental leave, division of childcare and housework. Journal of Family Studies, 20(1), 19–27.

Birkett, H. and Forbes, S. (2019). Where’s dad? Exploring the low take-up of inclusive parenting policies in the UK. Policy Studies, 40, 205-224.

Boswell- Penc, M. and Boyer, K. (2007) ‘Expressing anxiety? Breast pumps usage in American Wage workplaces’, Gender, Place and Culture, 14(5): 151-167.

Brandth, B. and Kvande, E. (2019). Workplace support of fathers’ parental leave use in Norway. Community, Work & Family, 22, 43-57.

Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2011). Business research methods. Oxford Univ. Press.

Cohen, R. J., Haddix, K., Hurtado, E., & Dewey, K. G. (1995). Maternal activity budgets: Feasibility of exclusive breastfeeding for six months among urban women in Honduras. Social science & medicine, 41(4), 527-536.

Cohen, R., & Mrtek, M. (1994). The Impact of Two Corporate Lactation Programs on the Incidence and Duration of Breast-Feeding by Employed Mothers. American Journal Of Health Promotion, 8(6), 436-441. https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-8.6.436

Cohen, R., Mrtek, M. B., & Mrtek, R. G. (1995). Comparison of Maternal Absenteeism and Infant Illness Rates among Breast-Feeding and Formula-Feeding Women in Two Corporations. American Journal of Health Promotion, 10(2), 148–153.

Cohen, R., Mrtek, M., & Mrtek, R. (1995). Comparison of Maternal Absenteeism and Infant Illness Rates among Breast-Feeding and Formula-Feeding Women in Two Corporations. American Journal Of Health Promotion, 10(2), 148-153.

https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-10.2.148

Desmond, D., Meaney, S. (2016) ‘A qualitative study investigating the barriers to returning to work for breastfeeding mothers in Ireland’, Int Breastfeed J, 11:16.

Duvander, A. Z., Haas, L., Thalberg, S. (2017). Fathers on leave alone in Sweden: Toward more equal parenthood? In O’Brien,

M., Wall, K. (Eds.), Comparative perspectives on work-life balance and gender equality (pp. 125–145).

Gatrell, C. (2007) ‘Secret and Lies: Breastfeeding and professional paid work’, Social Science and Medicine, 65(2): 393-404

Goldman, A.S. (2000) ‘Modulation of the gastrointestinal track of infants by human milk, interfaces and interactions: an evolutionary perspective’, Journal of Nutrition, 130: 426-431.

Haas, L., Hwang, P. (2008). The impact of taking parental leave on father’s participation in childcare and relationships with children:

Lessons from Sweden. Community, Work & Family, 11(1), 85–104.

Hawkins, S.S., Griffiths, L.J., Dezateux, C., Law, C. (2007) ‘Millennium Cohort Study Child Health Group. Maternal employment

and breast-feeding initiation: findings from the Millennium Cohort Study’, Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol, 21(3): 242-7.

Lidbeck, M., Bernhardsson, S., Tjus, T. (2018). Division of parental leave and perceived parenting stress among mothers and fathers. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 36(4), 406–420.

Lodge, C., Tan, D.J., Lau, M.X.Z., Dai, X., Tham, R., Lowe, A.J., Bowatte, G., Allen, K.J. and Dharmage, S.C. (2015) ‘Breastfeeding and asthma and allergies: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Acta Paediatrica, 104: 38–53.

Maternity Action. (2021). Continuing to breastfeed when you return to work - Maternity Action. Maternity Action.

Retrieved 15 December 2021, from https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/continuing-to-breastfeed-when-you-return-to-work/.

Ndzi, E. (2017). Shared parental leave: awareness is key. International Journal of Law and Management, 59(6) 1331-1336.

NHS. (2021). Breastfeeding and going back to work. NHS. Retrieved 15 December 2021, from

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-and-lifestyle/back-to-work/.

Nowell S., Norris M., White E., and Moules J., (2017). Thematic Analysis: Striving to Meet the Trustworthiness Criteria: International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16, pp. 1-13.

Office of National Statistics, ‘Female employment rate (aged 16 to 64, seasonally adjusted)’ (2021)

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/timeseries/lf25/lms accessed 30th June 2021.

Plantin, L., Olukoya, A. A., Ny, P. (2011). Positive health outcomes of fathers’ involvement in pregnancy and childbirth paternal support: A scope study literature review. Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers, 9(1), 87–102.

Torgus, J., & Gotsch, G. (2004). The womanly art of breastfeeding. La Leche League International.

Twamley, K. and Schober, P. (2019). Shared Parental Leave: Exploring variations in attitudes, eligibility, knowledge and take up

intentions of expectant mothers in London. Journal of Social Policy, 48(2), 387-407.

Victora, C., Bahl, R., Barros, A., França, G., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., Murch, S., Sankar, M., Walker, N., Rollins, N. (2016) ‘Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms’, The Lancet, 387(10017): 475–490.

WHO. (2002). Infant and Young Child Nutrition. WHO. Retrieved from

https://apps.who.int/gb/archive/pdf_files/WHA55/ea5515.pdf