Returning to work following parental leave: the experiences of Australian anaesthetists

With increasing gender balance in specialist medical training and employment in Australia, there is a corresponding need to consider how parental leave and subsequent return to work is managed in the workplace. An electronic survey exploring the experiences of pregnancy and return to work following parental leave was distributed by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). The return-to-work component of the survey evaluated parental leave and return-to-work patterns, lactation practices and facilities, supports and resources utilised during the return-to-work process. We report on 391 return-to-work episodes from 219 respondents. One hundred and seventy-two (79%) were specialists at the time of survey completion. Six to 11 months was the most frequent duration of parental leave, and this duration was associated with higher satisfaction levels than shorter durations of leave (odds ratio 5.44, 95% confidence interval 3.18-9.31, P < 0.001). Breastfeeding continued in 246 (63%) return-to-work episodes, and absent or inadequate lactation facilities were reported in 239 (88%). In 227 (58%) return-to-work experiences, respondents received no formal support on returning to work. One hundred and thirty-five (62%) respondents did not utilise any existing return-to-work resources, and family and friends were the main source of support for 113 (52%) respondents. Return-to-work processes should be tailored to meet individual needs. Consistent with existing recommendations, satisfactory lactation facilities must be provided. We recommend that the period of one-to-one supervision be flexible and negotiated, to suit the unique return-to-work trajectory of each worker. Existing ANZCA resources could assist departments in supporting anaesthetists who return to work following parental leave.