scholarly journals Shared Parental Leave: Exploring Variations in Attitudes, Eligibility, Knowledge and Take-up Intentions of Expectant Mothers in London

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHERINE TWAMLEY ◽  
PIA SCHOBER
Keyword(s):  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
Expectant Mothers ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Research And Policy

AbstractIn April 2015, the UK introduced Shared Parental Leave (SPL), allowing mothers to transfer their maternity leave to their partners from two weeks after the birth or adoption of a child. There has been very limited research conducted on this leave policy to date and knowledge on take-up is poor. We present findings from an in-depth survey conducted with expectant mothers in two NHS trusts in England on their knowledge, views and plans around leave after the birth of their child and examine variations across educational and ethnic groups. A total of 575 expectant mothers took part in the survey. Around 7.4 per cent of expectant mothers who were (self-)employed or in education intended to take SPL. Finances and worries over fathers’ careers were cited as the primary barriers to take up of SPL. Individual entitlement for fathers and knowing others who took SPL increased individuals’ reported intention to take SPL. Applying logistic regression models, we found that knowledge of and access to SPL is correlated with education, ethnicity and home ownership. Future research and policy design should attend to such issues to ensure equitable access across families.

scholarly journals P138: Parental leave policies and culture for physicians in emergency medicine

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S114-S114
Author(s):  
J. Andruko ◽  
T. Green
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Physician Satisfaction ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
Paternity Leave ◽  
Formal Policy ◽  
Leave Policy

Introduction: Medicine demands a sacrifice of physicians’ personal life, but culture has slowly changed towards valuing a balanced work life. Parental leave is linked to better physical and mental health, but policies and culture surrounding parental leave are largely unstudied in the Canadian Emergency Medicine landscape. Anecdotally, experiences vary widely. This study was designed to determine what proportion of Canadian Emergency Departments have formal parental leave policies (maternity, paternity, and other ex. adoption) and what proportion of Canadian EM physicians are satisfied with their department's parental leave policies. Methods: Two surveys were generated; one to assess attitudes and experiences of emergency physicians, and a second survey for department chiefs assessed the policies and their features. These were approved by the UBC REB and distributed through the CAEP Research Committee. Primary outcomes were physician satisfaction with their department's parental leave policy (4-5/5 Likert Scale), and departments with a formal parental leave policy (Y/N). Results: 38% (8/21) of department chiefs reported having a formal policy for maternity leave, 29% (6/21) for paternity leave, and 24% (5/21) other. The survey of Emergency Physicians revealed similar rates at 48% (90/187) maternity, 40% (70/184) paternity, 29% (53/181) other. Among physicians who were aware of them, 69% (62/90) were somewhat or very satisfied with the maternity leave policies, 58% (51/88) with paternity leave policies, and 48% (39/81) with other parental leave. Less than 10% were somewhat or very dissatisfied with any of these. Several department chiefs commented that they had never refused anyone parental leave, but have no formal policy. However, 87% (147/187) of physicians reported a formal maternity leave policy was somewhat or very important to them; similarly 80% (134/187) paternity leave. Less than 15% felt each was somewhat or extremely unimportant. Conclusion: Presence and type of parental leave policy varies across the country. Most physicians were satisfied with the support they had available, but the vast majority felt that a formal maternity and paternity leave policy itself was important. This study would suggest that, without actually changing practice, the introduction of a formal parental leave policy is of value. Our research group will use this data to collaborate on a template parental leave policy to be made available for this purpose.

United Kingdom: leave policy and an attempt to take a new path

2019 ◽  
pp. 57-74
Author(s):  
Peter Moss ◽  
Margaret O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Path Dependency ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Classic Case ◽  
Leave Policy

This chapter examines an attempt to transform UK leave policy, re-configuring it away from maternalism and towards greater gender equality, and why this attempted change of direction failed. It shows how the country introduced statutory leave at a late date, compared to other European countries, and adopted with little consideration a model centred on long and low paid Maternity Leave. After two decades of neglect, when leave policy came back onto the government’s agenda, this model became more established as Maternity Leave was further extended, while a newly introduced Parental Leave was marginalised. Attempted reform, in 2011-12, failed, due to insufficient support and understanding, leaving UK leave policy as a classic case of path dependency.

Predictors of parental leave support: Bad news for (big) dads and a policy for equality

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 810-830
Author(s):  
Jamie L. Gloor ◽  
Xinxin Li ◽  
Rebecca M. Puhl
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Managerial Discretion ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Unpaid Labor ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
Employee Characteristics ◽  
Variable Support

Parenthood increases gender inequality in paid (employment) and unpaid labor (e.g., caretaking). New parental leave plans aim to increase gender equality by reducing managerial discretion and offering gender-neutral benefits. However, coworkers may undermine these inclusive aims, particularly if they show variable support per employee characteristics. Thus, we examine why and how employee gender and obesity interactively predict coworkers’ support for parental leave and test an intervention to increase equality. Three between-subjects experiments with working American adults ( Ns = 133–252) indicate that obesity decreases coworkers’ parental leave support for men, but increases coworkers’ parental leave support for women; these effects are replicated and mediated by coworkers’ caregiving ability expectations of the employees, inequalities that are reduced when parental leave is made the default. Discussion focuses on our results’ implications for theory, practice, and for men and women’s paid and unpaid labor, including recommendations for parental leave policy design and delivery to increase equality.

United States paid parental leave and infant mortality

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 145-153
Author(s):  
Brandy Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Replacement Policy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Paid Parental Leave ◽  
College Educated

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to synthesize findings on the effects of existing paid parental leave programs on infant mortality rates (IMR) in the USA as an attempt to aid in efforts for the development of a national paid parental leave policy. Design/methodology/approach Three articles were reviewed to analyze findings on the effects of existing parental leave programs on IMR in the USA. Findings The results from the three studies analyzed indicate that unpaid parental leave and parental leave with partial wage replacement can reduce IMR in households with college educated, working mothers. Research limitations/implications This review is limited due to only having three studies available to synthesize that pertained to the USA. Implications for future research are to examine the effects of fully paid parental leave programs offered by individual organizations on IMR in the USA. Social implications Providing a needs-based income replacement policy to mothers who wish to take parental leave after the birth of a child may be the best policy to decrease IMR for infants from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Originality/value The findings in this review will aid in the ongoing efforts to develop a national paid parental leave policy in the USA.

scholarly journals Public trust and genomic medicine in Canada and the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Sarah Savić-Kallesøe ◽  
Anna Middleton ◽  
Richard Milne
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Medicine ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Willingness To Donate ◽  
The Uk

Background: Genomic medicine could improve precise risk stratification, early prevention, and personalised treatment across a broad spectrum of disease. As this reality approaches, questions on the importance of public trust arise. The success of genomic medicine initiatives is influenced by the public’s trust and willingness to engage. Specific social actors influential in the public's trust have been identified by the “Your DNA, Your Say” study, including doctors, researchers, and governments. This paper aims to identify and examine which specific social actors, if any, in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) are the most trustworthy and influential to engage the public in genomic medicine research. Methods: Using data from the ‘Your DNA, Your Say’ study, logistic regression models and Pearson’s chi-square tests were conducted to explore trust in social actors across Canada and the UK. Results: The results demonstrate Canada and the UK significantly differ in public trust and willingness to donate. Non-profit researchers, domestic doctors, and personal doctors were identified to be the most influential and trustworthy social actors in Canada and the UK. Conclusions: The comparative results indicate that both countries would benefit from engaging the public through doctors and non-profit researchers. The UK could additionally support public trust by engaging with the public through the National Health Service. However, the results suggest that whilst public trust is significant, it may be neither necessary nor sufficient in influencing willingness to donate. Future research could do well to investigate how the importance of public trust compares in countries with lower public trust.

scholarly journals Factors that influence smokers’ and ex-smokers’ use of IQOS: a qualitative study of IQOS users and ex-users in the UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte N E Tompkins ◽  
Annabel Burnley ◽  
Ann McNeill ◽  
Sara C Hitchman
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sensory Experiences ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Pictorial Warnings ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Philip Morris ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Research And Policy

BackgroundOne of the most widely available heated tobacco products is IQOS by Philip Morris International. However, there is a lack of independent research exploring IQOS initiation and subsequent use among smokers and ex-smokers.AimsTo (1) explore the reasons why smokers and ex-smokers use and continue/discontinue IQOS and (2) consider implications for future research and policy.ParticipantsAdult (18+) current (n=22) and ex-users (n=8) of IQOS who either currently smoked or quit smoking in the last 2 years.MethodsQualitative interview study in London, UK.ResultsSix main factors influenced initiation and use of IQOS: (1) Health—wanting to reduce/quit smoking and perceptions of reduced harm (while understanding IQOS was not risk-free). Branded packaging, absence of pictorial warnings and physical health improvements conveyed reduced harm. (2) Financial—including high start-up costs, but cheaper ongoing costs than smoking. (3) Physical—mixed views on enjoyment and satisfaction. Sensory experiences influenced use including discreetness, cleanliness, reduced smell and tactile similarities relative to combustible cigarettes. (4) Practical—issues of accessibility, shortcomings with maintenance/operation limited ongoing use, whereas use in smoke-free places increased use. (5) Psychological—similarities in rituals and routines, although new practices developed to charge and clean; some liked trailblazing new technology. (6) Social—improved social interactions from using IQOS instead of smoking, but with more limited shared social experiences for some.ConclusionFor some, IQOS facilitated smoking substitution. Factors such as packaging, labelling, risk communication, price and smoke-free policies appear to influence initiation and use.

scholarly journals Impacts of climate change on indirect human exposure to pathogens and chemicals from agriculture

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 743-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Boxall ◽  
Anthony Hardy ◽  
Sabine Beulke ◽  
Tatiana Boucard ◽  
Laura Burgin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Environmental Transport ◽  
Expert Input ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Research And Policy

Climate change is likely to affect the nature of pathogens/ chemicals in the environment and their fate and transport. We assess the implications of climate change for changes in human exposures to pathogens/chemicals in agricultural systems in the UK and discuss the effects on health impacts, using expert input and literature on climate change; health effects from exposure to pathogens/chemicals arising from agriculture; inputs of chemicals/pathogens to agricultural systems; and human exposure pathways for pathogens/chemicals in agricultural systems. We established the evidence base for health effects of chemicals/pathogens in the agricultural environment; determined the potential implications of climate change on chemical/pathogen inputs in agricultural systems; and explored the effects of climate change on environmental transport and fate of various contaminants. We merged data to assess the implications of climate change in terms of indirect human exposure to pathogens/chemicals in agricultural systems, and defined recommendations on future research and policy changes to manage adverse increases in risks.

Care-work policies: conceptualising leave within a broader framework1

2019 ◽  
pp. 241-260
Author(s):  
Sara Mazzucchelli ◽  
Luca Pesenti ◽  
M. Letizia Bosoni
Keyword(s):  
Parental Leave ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Care Work ◽  
Welfare Regime ◽  
Family Structures ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

The central argument of this chapter is that statutory Parental Leave policy must be conceptualised within a broader framework of care-work policies and cultural ideas over care tasks. We propose a model based on structural and cultural dimensions. The former includes leaves (Maternity, Paternity, Parental), ECEC services, the relationship or gap between leave and ECEC entitlements, occupational welfare, and family structures (e.g. proportion of children living with two parents); the latter include levels of gender inequality and intergenerational solidarity orientation. Considering these six dimensions we focus on four countries, namely Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK, representing well-established welfare regime models. Our analysis highlights how Germany and Sweden seem more similar than might be expected in light of established welfare regime models, while Italy and the UK are in contrast somewhat similar in terms of their Parental Leave models, whilst showing many differences in relation to other social actors involved in providing welfare goods.

scholarly journals Gender equality and parenting-related leaves in 21 former socialist countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 495-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Dobrotić ◽  
Nada Stropnik
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promote Gender Equality ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Historical Comparative ◽  
Competing Priorities

PurposeThis article explores the patterns and dynamics of parenting-related leave policy reforms in the European former socialist countries (EFSCs). It sheds light on the development pattern of their leave policies and their potential to reproduce, impede, or transform traditional gender norms in employment and care.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides a historical comparative analysis of leave policy developments in 21 EFSCs in the 1970–2018 period. It systematically explores continuity and changes in leave policy design − generosity (leave duration and benefits level) and fathers' entitlements to leaves − as well as policy concerns and gender-equality-related implications.FindingsFollowing the state-socialist commitment to gender equality, the EFSCs introduced childcare/parental leaves early. Nevertheless, they developed mother-centered leaves of equality-impeding character, in that they did not promote gender equality. The divergence of EFSCs' leave policies intensified in the period of transition from socialism to capitalism, as competing priorities and inter-related policy concerns – such as re-traditionalization, fertility incentives, gender equality, and labor market participation – influenced policy design. Leave policies of the EFSCs that joined the EU gradually transformed towards more gender-equal ones. Nonetheless, the progress has been slow, and only three countries can be classified as having equality-transforming leaves (Slovenia, Lithuania, and Romania).Originality/valueThis article extends existent comparative studies on maternity/paternity/parental leaves, exploring the region that has been overlooked by such research. It provides valuable insights into the implications of intersectional dimensions of leave design as well as competing priorities and concerns embedded in it. It points to the methodological complexity of evaluating the development of parental leave policies in a cross-country perspective.

scholarly journals Socially Inclusive Parenting Leaves and Parental Benefit Entitlements: Rethinking Care and Work Binaries

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Doucet
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Social Citizenship ◽  
Employment Policy ◽  
Labour Market Participation ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
Global North ◽  
Parental Benefits

How can parental leave design be more socially inclusive? Should all parents be entitled to parental benefits or only those parents who are eligible based on a particular level of labour market participation? To think through questions of social inclusion in parental leave policy design, particularly issues related to entitlements to benefits, I make three arguments. First, aiming to extend Dobrotić and Blum’s work on entitlements to parental benefits, I argue that ‘mixed systems’ that include both citizenship‐based and employment‐based benefits are just and socially inclusive approaches to parental leaves and citizenship. Second, to build a robust conceptual scaffolding for a ‘mixed’ benefits approach, I argue that that we need to attend to the histories and relationalities of the concepts and conceptual narratives that implicitly or explicitly inform parental leave policies and scholarship. Third, and more broadly, I argue that a metanarrative of care and work binaries underpins most scholarship and public and policy discourses on care work and paid work and on social policies, including parental leave policies. In this article, I outline revisioned conceptual narratives of care and work relationalities, arguing that they can begin to chip away at this metanarrative and that this kind of un‐thinking and rethinking can help us to envi‐ sion parental leave beyond employment policy—as care and work policy. Specifically, I focus on conceptual narratives that combine (1) care and work intra‐connections, (2) ethics of care and justice, and (3) ‘social care,’ ‘caring with,’ transforma‐ tive social protection, and social citizenship. Methodologically and epistemologically, this article is guided by my reading of Margaret Somers’ genealogical and relational approach to concepts, conceptual narratives, and metanarratives, and it is written in a Global North socio‐economic context marked by the COVID‐19 pandemic and 21st century neoliberalism.

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