Maternity-related employment transition experiences of mother-workers situated within the meso-level context of the organisation

Abstract

Background: Discrimination during pregnancy is acknowledged to be a worldwide phenomenon (Kachi et al. 2022) and endemic within the UK (Gatrell et al., 2024). Research has established macro sociological factors and has explored mother-worker career outcomes as the consequence of individual choice, but the role of meso-level organisational context has been largely ignored until recently (Berger, 2022; Torres et al, 2024).
Objective: To explore meso-level stakeholder perspectives related to maternity employment transitions within three case study organisations to understand how these impact mother-worker experience.
Methodology: Semi-structured life course interviews with 18 professional mother-workers who returned to the same organisation after maternity leave within the previous one to five years. Further semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken to garner relevant contextualising maternity related perspectives of the HR Leader and Trade Union representative(s).
Results: Pregnancy, maternity leave, and return-to-work were regarded as discrete phases of employment. The case study organisations honoured statutory obligations to mother-workers related to pregnancy and maternity leave. Policies and protocols were considered sufficient, robust, and well-established. In line with the absence of statutory guidance, employers did not actively manage women during maternity leave or return-to-work. During maternity leave women relinquished worker identity and developed a socially coherent mother identity, subsequently they negotiated return within the line manager dyad. This often resulted in informal arrangements which eroded confidence and bargaining power.
Originality/ value: Meso-level organisational culture significantly influences individual agency related to mothering and working. 

Thesis embargoed until 31st July 2030

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Northern Ireland Department for the Economy
Supervisor	Heike Schroeder-Altmann (Supervisor) & Denise Currie (Supervisor)