10: Interrupted Careers, Breaks and Returning - Academic Staff

10.1 Career Breaks (N= 4464)

 

5% of academics;

9% of female academics;

4% of male academics

weighted

5% of academics;

12% of female academics**;

3% of male academics

have taken a career break

10.1.2 Length of career break (N = 260)

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

1 – 2 years

71

73

79

79

75

76

3 – 5 years

17

23

15

16

16

20

> 5 years

12

5

6

4

9

5

10.1.3 Difficulty returning to work after career break (Mean of 1 – 5 scale where 5 = Very Difficult and 1 = Not difficult at all) (N = 255)

 

F

M

Mean difficulty

2.7

2.4

10.2 Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave

The differences in this section have not been tested for significance because of the disparity in statutory and generally available provision of leave and obvious difference between the sexes in respect of childbearing. Adoption leave, where comparisons could be possible, cannot be isolated.

 

26% of academics;

44% of female academics;

18% of male academics

weighted

26% of academics;

43% of female academics;

19% of male academics**

Have taken maternity, paternity or adoption leave (N = 4459)

10.2.2a Prior to leave: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that was available but NOT used.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Assistance with cover arrangements

3

2

13

16

8

10

1154

Department arranged cover

2

1

13

10

7

6

1161

Meeting with HoD/Head of Section to discuss practicalities

2

15

1

19

8

11

1165

Provision of/access to useful advice

4

5

15

18

9

12

1161

Access to role models

3

2

11

15

7

9

1165

10.2.2b Prior to leave: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that was available and used.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Assistance with cover arrangements

24

23

19

20

21

21

1154

Department arranged cover

33

30

21

30

27

30

1161

Meeting with HoD/Head of Section to discuss practicalities

48

50

33

30

41

39

1165

Provision of/access to useful advice

23

23

16

12

20

17

1161

Access to role models

13

11

7

7

10

9

1165

10.2.2c Prior to leave: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that was NOT available but respondents would have liked.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Assistance with cover arrangements

36

38

17

14

27

25

1154

Department arranged cover

33

35

17

14

26

24

1161

Meeting with HoD/Head of Section to discuss practicalities

31

28

13

12

22

20

1165

Provision of/access to useful advice

48

45

17

16

33

29

1161

Access to role models

51

53

17

16

35

33

1165

10.2.2d Prior to leave: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that was NOT available or needed.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Assistance with cover arrangements

37

38

50

50

43

44

1154

Department arranged cover

32

33

48

46

40

40

1161

Meeting with HoD/Head of Section to discuss practicalities

19

21

39

21

29

30

1165

Provision of/access to useful advice

25

27

52

54

38

41

1161

Access to role models

32

34

65

62

48

49

1165

10.2.3a On return: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that was available but NOT used.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Contact/keeping in touch with department while away

3

4

11

10

7

7

1165

Flexible working

7

7

11

17

9

12

1158

Part-time working initially building up to full time

20

18

19

24

19

21

1149

Lower teaching load initially

3

2

12

10

7

6

1147

Lower admin load initially

2

2

11

9

7

6

1141

Lower research supervision initially

3

3

11

10

7

7

1137

Support from colleagues on return

4

4

12

9

7

7

1148

 10.2.3b On return: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that was available and used.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Contact/keeping in touch with department while away

72

72

44

48

59

59

1165

Flexible working

68

66

49

42

59

53

1158

Part-time working initially building up to full time

32

31

9

9

21

19

1149

Lower teaching load initially

15

11

3

3

9

6

1147

Lower admin load initially

13

9

3

2

8

5

1141

Lower research supervision initially

5

4

1

1

3

2

1137

Support from colleagues on return

49

46

31

28

41

36

1148

10.2.3c On return: Maternity, paternity or adoption leave provision that respondents would have liked.

 

F%

F%(w)

M%

M%(w)

All%

All%(w)

N

Contact/keeping in touch with department while away

13

15

3

3

8

8

1165

Flexible working

16

18

8

7

12

12

1158

Part-time working initially building up to full time

23

25

14

12

18

18

1149

Lower teaching load initially

39

40

20

16

30

27

1147

Lower admin load initially

43

45

21

18

33

30

1141

Lower research supervision initially

25

26

10

9

18

17

1137

Support from colleagues on return

31

31

11

9

21

19

1148

Significant differences between sexes

A greater proportion of women

  • Have taken a career break not including maternity leave**