Professional working mothers in health care: unlocking their resource needs

Aim

This study argues that research needs to investigate the multi-factor experiences of working mothers with young children in these industries, given evident complexities, greater discrepancies in workforce participation, and limited ‘resolution’ from decades of policy and legislation changes.

Outcomes

This study was implemented across three large Queensland Hospital and Health Services with a total of 446 eligible working mothers completing the study survey. This research study investigates the role and impact of various work, family and community resources on working mothers’ psychological well-being and work outcomes such as job satisfaction, work engagement, intention to leave and career progress and satisfaction. This study measures how and when work resources such as career and professional development opportunities, organisational policy, job crafting and organisational, leader and co-worker support can impact working mothers’ positive participation in the workforce and psychological well-being.

Background

Despite advances over numerous decades in policies and legislation such as parental leave and childcare, the issue of workforce participation for mothers remains an ongoing issue. Mothers with children under school age (i.e., 0 – 5 years of age), experience the greatest gender disparity in workforce participation in Australia. This is evident in Australia’s gender equality position globally, where Australia is one of the most educated countries in the world for women’s educational outcomes, but economic participation and leadership representation remains disparate. This disparity is also seen in representation in leadership positions and gender pay inequalities across various industries, including female dominated industries. For instance, women make up over 70% of the healthcare workforce in Australia and globally, and nearly 90% of the nursing and midwifery workforce.  Yet, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles and overall workforce participation in this industry.

Discussion

Findings from this research will be used to engage and empower participating Hospital and Health Services, and other related organisations and industries, on how to better support mothers’ participation in the workforce. Proposed recommendations will be facilitated with participating Hospital and Health Services to inform any ongoing action to better support working mothers in healthcare.

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