Parental Leave Survey

Dr Elaine Griffiths

Parental Leave Survey

Total 1225 Responses aged between 31- 50 yrs All Specialities/LETB’s/Deaneries represented 80% white British but all ethnic groups represented Responses across all grades but specialist trainees

the largest cohort We have been able to subdivide the groups into

those taking maternity leave >5 yrs ago & those taking maternity leave <5yrs ago

Parental Leave Survey

All male respondents taking only 10 -14 days of paternity leave

No impact on their careers

Parental leave taken >5 yrs ago 13%; <5 yrs figure rose to 22%

Baseline for further studies

Parental Leave Survey

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency CountFoundation training grade 2.90% 19

Core training grade 4.60% 30Specialist training grade 53.70% 350Fixed term training post 0.60% 4

SAS/Specialty Doctor 1.20% 8Consultant 24.50% 160

GP Principal 2.10% 14GP Salaried doctor 1.80% 12

Other (eg Locum posts, LATs, post 8.40% 5526

678Not Answered

Total Responses

Table: Grades Post 2010

Parental Leave Survey Data suggest that the length of time taken for post-natal leave

may be increasing

Maternity leave duration post 2010Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency Count

0 2.00% 82 1.00% 43 1.20% 54 1.50% 65 3.70% 156 12.80% 527 4.90% 208 9.60% 399 14.70% 60

10 9.80% 4011 7.40% 3012 25.10% 10213 1.00% 414 0.70% 318 0.70% 324 0.70% 332 0.70% 334 0.50% 252 0.50% 2

Other Responses 1.50% 6407Total Responses

Parental Leave Survey

Data indicated poor knowledge of available resources to aid planning

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency CountInformation form HR/medical 77.70% 424

Information from payroll 29.50% 161Government websites 30.20% 165

NHS employers' website 28.00% 153Academy of royal colleges' website 1.50% 8

Medical women's federation 1.80% 10Specialty / Colleges; / Faculties' 11.40% 62

BMA website 38.80% 212Other website - please state 3.70% 20

Talking to colleagues 60.40% 330Books - please state examples 3.30% 18Other resources - please state 3.50% 19

None 4.90% 27564Total Responses

Parental Leave Survey

Prenatal concerns: Effect on clinical competence 79%

CPD 57%

Revalidation 24%

Working relationships with colleagues 59%

Finances 74%

Childcare 78%

Parental Leave Survey

Reasons for early return to work (post 2010)

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency CountPersonal finances 28.80% 94

Training linked deadlines 10.40% 34Presssure from your department or 8.30% 27Childcare opportunity you couldn't 1.20% 4

Concerns over compliance with 5.50% 18Other please state: 9.80% 32

I felt no pressure to bring my 55.20% 180346Total Responses

Parental Leave Survey

Emotional Concerns (Post 2010)

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency CountI looked forward to returning 21.90% 73

I had some reservations 57.40% 191I did not feel emotionally ready to 14.40% 48

Other please state: 6.30% 2113

346Not Answered

Total Responses

Parental Leave Survey Less than 6% had Occupational Health Assessment or were aware

of a risk assessment being performed on their return to work

Despite 25% were experiencing post natal problems

Sleep Deprivation results:

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency Count0-4 hours 50.10% 1685-7 hours 42.70% 143

8 hours plus 7.20% 2411

346Not Answered

Total Responses

Parental Leave Survey

Keeping in touch days (KIT) Fewer than 50% discussed this option with their employers prior to

maternity leave

Only 25% were actually offered KIT days

This figure dropped to 15% if the respondent was returning to a different Trust

Many were not offered the recommended 10 days:Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency Count

0 2.90% 22 8.70% 65 8.70% 6

10 75.40% 52Other Responses 4.30% 3

69Total Responses

Parental Leave SurveyFacilitating a smooth return to work: Only 20% offered opportunity to refresh/maintain clinical

skills either during leave or after the return to work Nobody was offered a clinical attachment/shadowing prior

to returning Only in Anaesthesia was any simulator experience to

refresh resuscitation skills or the like given Only 5% were allocated a clinical supervisor/mentor to

oversee their immediate return to work 75% were not informed of new policies or equipment

changes which had occurred whilst they were on maternity leave

Only 27% were provided with agreed milestones with, which to monitor their progress on returning to work, and information on how this was to monitored

Parental Leave Survey 50% were breastfeeding on return to work

Only 8% were provided with a private space to express breast milk

This resulted in 30% ceasing breastfeeding earlier than planned

Other medical parents & partners were the most relied on resources when returning to work

Childcare was a major concern:

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency CountStraightforward 26.40% 89Minor Diffi culty 26.10% 88

Moderate Diffi culty 26.10% 88Very Diffi cult 15.70% 53

Almost Impossible 5.60% 195

342Not Answered

Total Responses

Parental Leave Survey

80% of respondents were in full time work prior to taking maternity leave

60% were planning to return less than full time

1/3 of those who were returning less than full-time (LTFT) had difficulties arranging this

Considerable frustration was expressed about managing a LTFT return to work

Particularly the organisational paperwork, and the multiplicity of forms (as employer paperwork is distinct from that required by local education and training boards (LETBs)/deaneries)

Parental Leave Survey

Overall Experience Rating:

Response 5% 10% 20% 25% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% Frequency CountAs expected 56.20% 277

Worse than expected 17.60% 87Better than expected 14.20% 70

Yet to return 12.00% 5917

510Total ResponsesNot Answered

Parental Leave SurveyAction Points Remind Employers and colleagues of the importance of

discussing voluntary arrangements around KIT days and ensure that the employees returning Trust if different is involved in these discussion

Colleges; LETB’s and Deaneries must be more proactive in promoting available resources to those seeking to take parental leave

Mandatory for Employers to inform all colleagues on maternity leave of new developments/equipment and direct them to appropriate resources to familiarise themselves with the advances

Encourage Employers to follow best practice ensuring that the first week of return to work is programmed as induction and shadowing a colleague to familiarising oneself with hospital procedures

Parental Leave Survey

Action Points Risk assessments should be extended to include all

mother’s returning from maternity leave

Deaneries/LETB’s must ensure that the returning trainee has a designated educational supervisor who will meet with them prior to returning to work and actively monitor their progress in the first three months

Returning Trainees must be given a designated consultant who will give them support and advice in the first three months