Australian men’s experiences of leave provisions and workplace support following pregnancy loss or neonatal death

ABSTRACT

This research note reports survey responses of Australian men (N = 220) gathered as part of a larger study exploring men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal death. We explore the types of workplace leave offered to men and how men perceived leave and support provided by their employers. Almost all men (91%) informed their workplace of their loss, and 74% were offered some form of leave. The most common types of leave offered were compassionate/bereavement leave, and sick/carers leave. Supports included Employee Assistance Programs, referral to counselling, and flexible working arrangements. Open-ended responses highlighted five themes: Emotional toll of returning to work, Need to be with and support partner, Recognition and understanding, Helpful distraction, and Pressure to return. Not all men wished to take extended (or any) paid leave following pregnancy loss or neonatal death, though they believed leave should be available. It is essential that employers recognise men’s bereavement following pregnancy loss and neonatal death, and that healthcare professionals support men’s decisions about work.

KEYWORDS:

• Stillbirth
• miscarriage
• neonatal death
• pregnancy loss
• workplace
• men

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank the men who participated in the survey, and Suzanne Edwards for her assistance with data analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

KO is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship and a Westpac Scholars Trust 2018 Future Leaders Scholarship. The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, or interpretation of data or in writing the manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Kate Louise Obst

Kate Louise Obst is a combined PhD/Master of Health Psychology Candidate at the University of Adelaide.

Clemence Due

Dr Clemence Due is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide.

Melissa Oxlad

Dr Melissa Oxlad is a Clinical/Health Psychologist and Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide.

Philippa Middleton

Prof Philippa Middleton holds an NHMRC fellowship and is an affiliate with the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide.