Work and pregnancy: Individual and organizational factors influencing organizational commitment, timing of maternity leave, and return to work

The authors surveyed 86 pregnant women (73% White, 8% Asian, 7% African Ame rican, 6% Hispanic, and 1% Native American) to examine individual and organ izational factors associated with organizational commitment and planned tin ting of their maternity leaves and return to work after childbirth. Women w hose organizations offered guaranteed jobs after childbirth planned to work later into their pregnancies and to return to work sooner after childbirth . Women who perceived supportive work-family cultures were more committed t o their organizations and planned to return more quickly after childbirth t han women who perceived less supportive cultures. Also, women with less tra ditional attitudes reward parenting planned to work later into their pregna ncies and return to work sooner after childbirth.