Work and pregnancy: Individual and organizational factors influencing organizational commitment, timing of maternity leave, and return to work

The authors surveyed 86 pregnant women (73% White, 8% Asian, 7% African American, 6% Hispanic, and 1% Native American) to examine individual and organizational factors associated with organizational commitment and planned tinting of their maternity leaves and return to work after childbirth. Women whose organizations offered guaranteed jobs after childbirth planned to work later into their pregnancies and to return to work sooner after childbirth. Women who perceived supportive work-family cultures were more committed to their organizations and planned to return more quickly after childbirth than women who perceived less supportive cultures. Also, women with less traditional attitudes reward parenting planned to work later into their pregnancies and return to work sooner after childbirth.