Beyond Predictable Parenthood – Recognising reproductive (ill)health in parenting leave policies
Full project title: How is the unpredictability of reproductive health considered within workplace parenting leave policies? An exploration with workplace policymakers as expert informants
Project Overview
Parenthood journeys are not always predictable, yet workplace parenting leave policies may be based on assumptions that they follow a straightforward path.
This project explores how workplace parenting leave policies respond to the unpredictability of reproductive health. Using UK higher education as a case study, it examines the factors that influence policy development, including legislation, employee wellbeing, gender equality, and the recruitment and retention of staff.
Through discussions with HR, EDI and other workplace policy professionals, the research will consider how reproductive health is understood, prioritised and incorporated into parenting leave provision.
The project will translate its findings into practical, sector-sensitive recommendations, including a practitioner report and policy review checklist. These resources will support employers to develop policies that better reflect the complexity of employees’ experiences. Stakeholder and lived-experience expertise will be incorporated throughout the project to ensure that its recommendations are relevant to both policy professionals and employees.
Get involved in the research
Do you work in HR, EDI or another role relevant to workplace policy in UK higher education? We will soon be inviting participants to share their perspectives on the factors shaping parenting leave policy and the inclusion of reproductive health.
Look out for our forthcoming call for participants and details of how to get involved.
Project team
The project brings together expertise in organisational and cultural change, equality, diversity and inclusion, critical organisation studies, work and employment, and participatory research. It is led by Dr Clare Matysova, independent researcher, with Dr Mark Gatto, Northumbria University, and Dr Ana Lopes, Newcastle University Business School, as co-investigators. Mark and Ana are also co-chairs of Parents and Carers Together (UK PACT).
Project funding
The project is funded through the British Academy / Leverhulme Small Research Grants scheme by Wellcome.
