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Flexible working and work-life balance: midwives' experiences and views
Prowse, Julie M. Prowse, Peter J.
Prowse, Julie M.
Prowse, Peter J.
Publication Date
2015-09-10
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� 2015 SAGE Publishing. Full-text reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
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Abstract
This article presents midwives' views and experiences of flexible working and work-life balance. Both flexible working and work-life balance are important contemporary agendas within midwifery and can have both positive and negative consequences for midwives. Full-time midwives and those without caring commitments feel disadvantaged by flexible working and work-life balance policies as they have to fit when they work around part-time midwives and are increasingly expected to cover extra work. They feel their work-life balance is marginalised and this is fuelling discontent and resentment among midwives and leading to divisions between full and part-time staff that reinforce flexibility stigma. Although flexible working and work-life balance are important for recruiting and retaining midwives they are part of the ongoing tensions and challenges for midwives and the midwifery profession.
Keywords flexibility stigma, flexible working, full-time work, marginalisation, midwives, National Health Service,
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Accepted manuscript
Citation
Prowse JM and Prowse PJ (2015) Flexible working and work–life balance: midwives’ experiences and views. Work, Employment and Society. 29(5): 757-774.
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Article