The impact of family-friendly policies and practices on working mothers and pregnant women

Serman, Caryn

The impact of family-friendly policies and practices on working mothers and pregnant women

Master Thesis

2002

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The demographic composition of the workplace reflects the increased labour force participation of women, including those who are married or have children. Women are also taking less time out of the workforce for childbirth – indicating that increasing numbers of organisations contain women that are either pregnant or mothers of young children. This research study investigates the impact that organisational family-friendly policies and practices have on the organisational commitment of pregnant women and working mothers. The three-component model of organisational commitment developed by Allen and Meyer (1990) serves as the conceptual basis for this study. Participants consisted of 52 women within two national organisations – the central one being an investment company, with the preliminary focus group conducted at an accounting firm. The research was conducted in the Western Cape, and comprised of one preliminary and 6 full focus groups, as well as an exploratory survey. Transcriptions of focus group discussions were analysed by means of thematic analysis, and quantitative data by means of t-tests. Results confirm those of previous research studies regarding women's need for family-friendly policies and practices. The qualitative emphasis allowed previously unrecognised policies and practices to emerge, as well as the positive and negative consequences of family-friendly policies and the absence thereof. These new findings may be important factors to consider in future research.

Description

Bibliography : leaves 121-135.

Keywords

Organisational Psychology

Reference:

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