Paid Parental Leave Policies Among U.S. News 2020-2021 Best Hospitals and Best Hospitals for Cancer

Abstract

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorses 12-weeks of paid parental leave based on studies showing health benefits to parents and children. Parental leave policies can impact the distribution of child-rearing duties, which may influence gender equity and retention of women in medicine. However, there is a paucity of data describing paid parental leave for faculty/staff physicians. We sought to evaluate paid parental leave policies for physicians at top U.S. hospitals and cancer centers. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Parental leave policies for the 2020-2021 U.S. News Top 20 Best Hospitals and Best Hospitals for Cancer were reviewed from publicly accessible websites, yielding 27 unique institutions. Human resources offices were contacted to verify policies. Duration of paid child-bearing and parental leave, salary support, and related provisions were obtained. Parental leave included leave available post-childbirth/disability for birthing mothers and for non-birthing mothers, partners, and adoptive parents. Paid leave was defined as receiving ≥50% of base salary and excluded regular accrued paid time off (e.g., vacation). If unpaid parental leave was available (< 50% base salary), paid parental leave duration was considered to be zero. <h3>Results</h3> Of 27 institutions, six (22%) offer longer leave and/or greater pay based on the extent of caregiving responsibility (e.g., primary vs. secondary; n = 2) or employment position (e.g., academic faculty vs. non-faculty staff physician; n = 4). The mean duration of paid leave for birthing mothers (childbirth plus parental leave) is 7.8 weeks (range, 0-14 weeks) and for parental leave is 3.6 weeks (range, 0-12 weeks), using benefits from primary caregiver and academic faculty status where institutional benefits differ. Conversely, using benefits from secondary caregiver or non-faculty status where benefits differ, the mean paid leave for birthing mothers is 6.8 weeks (range, 0-12 weeks) and for parental leave is 2.3 weeks (range, 0-8 weeks). While the majority of hospitals (n = 23, 85%) offer short-term disability for childbirth, pay varies markedly (range, 0%-100%). Four institutions (15%) do not provide paid leave for childbirth and more than half (n = 15, 56%) do not provide paid parental leave beyond childbirth (based on secondary caregiver or non-faculty status where benefits differ). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Despite AAP endorsement of 12-weeks paid parental leave given improved outcomes for parents and children, the mean duration of paid maternity and parental leave at 27 leading U.S. hospitals and cancer centers is only 7.8 weeks and 3.6 weeks, respectively, at maximal benefits estimates. Nearly one-fourth of institutions offer different leave benefits based on faculty status and/or extent of caregiving responsibility. Future longitudinal studies are needed to assess the effect of paid parental leave on career satisfaction, work-life integration, and gender equity.