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RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Parental leave and returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory mixed-methods study

Nancy Saab A , Sara Holton https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9294-7872 B C * , Anne Wright D , Suellen Bruce D and Bodil Rasmussen B C E F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Medical Services, Western Health, Footscray, Vic 3011, Australia.

B School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia.

C Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute of Health Transformation – Western Health Partnership, Deakin University, St Albans, Vic 3021, Australia.

D People, Culture and Communications, Western Health, Footscray, Vic, Australia.

E Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

F Faculty of Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.

* Correspondence to: s.holton@deakin.edu.au

Australian Health Review https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24076
Submitted: 26 February 2024  Accepted: 20 June 2024  Published: 9 July 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objective

This study explored the experiences, concerns and perceptions of hospital clinical staff returning to work after parental leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

An exploratory mixed-methods study was performed. Eligible staff employed at a large metropolitan tertiary health service in Melbourne, Australia, completed an ethics-approved anonymous online cross-sectional survey and/or participated in an interview between February and June 2021.

Results

Ninety-six staff completed a survey and four participated in an interview. Staff reported both positive and negative aspects of being on parental leave during the COVID-19 pandemic including disappointment their leave had not gone as planned; feeling isolated from family and friends; wanting greater communication from their health service; appreciating the increased opportunities for them and their partner to be at home and bond with their baby; and concerns about returning to work such as limited knowledge of COVID-19 workplace policies and potentially infecting their baby and family.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on the parental leave and return to work experiences of hospital clinical staff. The findings suggest that staff would benefit from formal return to work policies and programs including regular contact with their manager while on parental leave and workplace reorientation on their return, especially during events such as a pandemic.

Keywords: Australia, COVID-19, health personnel, health services, hospitals, pandemic, parental leave, return to work.

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