Hospital managers' perspectives on pregnancy policy and work adjustments: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Risk assessment and work adjustment according to EU legislation may safeguard pregnant employees and their offspring. Knowledge on management perspectives in relation to implementation of protective measures is limited. 

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to describe Danish hospital managers' engagement in pregnancy policy and work adjustment for pregnant employees. The secondary aim was to investigate how managers' characteristics and the setting affect engagement and behaviour. 

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of survey data from 212 managers. Outcomes were within dimensions of health promotion, pregnancy policy, work adjustment, collaboration, manager support, and sick leave. Logistic and ordinal logistic regression models were applied to identify associations between background information and outcomes. 

RESULTS: Of the managers included, 84% arranged meetings and 76% conducted occupational risk assessment. Most managers (96%) engaged in dialogue with the employees before sick leave. Most managers felt competent in providing guidance for pregnant employees and 99% considered work adjustment important, mainly to safeguard mothers and children. The self-reported data showed positive associations between female managers and feeling competent to guide the employee. Further, management training was associated with meetings with pregnant employees. Seniority was associated with feeling competent to guide and dialogue. Midwifery support was associated with competence in guiding employees about risk factors. 

CONCLUSION: Work adjustment and risk assessment for pregnant employees are considered a priority by Danish hospital managers. Overall, managers feel competent guiding pregnant employees. However, managers experience midwifery support beneficial for the guidance of pregnant employees.