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Maternity provision, contract status, and likelihood of returning to work: Evidence from research intensive universities in the UK

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  • Joanna M. Davies
  • Lisa Jane Brighton
  • Florence Reedy
  • Sabrina Bajwah

Abstract

Reliance on fixed‐term contracts and a lack of adequate maternity provision for fixed‐term workers could be contributing to the loss of women from academia―the so called “leaky pipeline”―but evidence on this is lacking. This paper describes variation, between research intensive universities in the UK, in the maternity provision they offer to fixed‐term workers and presents preliminary staff data on the likelihood of returning to work following a period of maternity leave for academic and non‐academic staff on fixed‐term versus open‐ended contracts. A gendered lens is applied, investigating how the intersection between contractual status and maternity provision contributes to gender inequality in academia within the context of hierarchical neoliberal academic organizing and the masculinized “ideal” academic. Staff data was obtained using a Freedom of Information request made to the 24 Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom. The odds of returning to work after maternity leave were 59% lower for staff on fixed‐term compared to open‐ended contracts (pooled odds ratio: 0.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.26–0.64). Maternity provision for fixed‐term workers varied between institutions, with most operating policies that limit access to enhanced maternity pay for staff on fixed‐term contracts. Wider adoption of maternity policies that are more compatible with employment on fixed‐term contracts, including: no continuous service or return to work requirement, full financial support for staff facing redundancy during maternity leave, and appropriate signposting of redeployment obligations, could help to support more women to stay in academia.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna M. Davies & Lisa Jane Brighton & Florence Reedy & Sabrina Bajwah, 2022. "Maternity provision, contract status, and likelihood of returning to work: Evidence from research intensive universities in the UK," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1495-1510, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:29:y:2022:i:5:p:1495-1510
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12843
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Theresa O'Keefe & Aline Courtois, 2019. "‘Not one of the family’: Gender and precarious work in the neoliberal university," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 463-479, May.
    2. Mariya Ivancheva & Kathleen Lynch & Kathryn Keating, 2019. "Precarity, gender and care in the neoliberal academy," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 448-462, May.
    3. Nicola Maxwell & Linda Connolly & Caitríona Ní Laoire, 2019. "Informality, emotion and gendered career paths: The hidden toll of maternity leave on female academics and researchers," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 140-157, March.
    4. Meredith Nash & Brendan Churchill, 2020. "Caring during COVID‐19: A gendered analysis of Australian university responses to managing remote working and caring responsibilities," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 833-846, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karen Jones & Alan Floyd, 2024. "Women academics experiences of maternity leave in the neoliberal university: Unmasking governmentality," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 92-114, January.

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