The implementation of maternity leave policies in life science companies in Massachusetts

Abstract

Maternity leave - an employee benefit taken by a new mother to heal from pregnancy and childbirth while caring for her baby - is considered a special time by many, fostering a bond between mother and child. The U.S. is the only developed nation in the world that does not provide federally funded maternity leave and is predicated on the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act. Maternity leave has been a source of much debate and research in recent years. The existing literature has its limitations in that it lacks inclusion of the life science industry, which in recent years has witnessed an exponential increase of women. The purpose of this case study was to explore the implementation of maternity leave in the life science industry in Massachusetts. The primary research questions were: (i) what are the maternity leave policies in companies within the life science industry in Massachusetts; and (ii) how do these companies implement their policies? The researcher used sample size estimation and purposive sampling to identify these companies. Using Saldaña's method of coding and thematic analysis, the researcher analyzed four major themes that made meaningful contributions to this case study and helped address the primary and secondary research questions: (i) Implementation of Maternity Leave, (ii) Influences on Implementing Maternity Leave, (iii) Challenges of Implementing Maternity Leave, and (iv) Utilization of Maternity Leave. As companies compete to implement the best maternity leave policy, this case study provides the life science industry with recommendations for best practices in maternity leave policies.--Author's abstract