L’impatto organizzativo della gravidanza e della maternità

Pregnancy and maternity of the employed woman lead to changes in the organization of individual and group work and affect a woman’s wellbeing and her career expectations. This article aims to provide a contribution to the understanding of these conditions by showing the results of a survey which aimed at detecting attitudes, perceptions and opinions of individuals towards certain issues related to the impact of pregnancy and maternity on the working woman, her co-workers and organization (3.709 employees of a large Italian business organization have been interviewed through a questionnaire). The data collected (1.091 respondents) suggest that women more than men perceive pregnancy as a cause of discriminatory behaviors in the workplace. Respondents consider motherhood as a limit to job opportunities and an obstacle to a woman’s career. In addition, it was found that a great majority of workers expect organizations to adopt internal policies and practices aimed at supporting women’s pregnancy and maternity beyond any law requirements and State aid.