Maternity protection in SMEs : an international review / Suzan Lewis, Bianca Stumbitz, Lilian Miles, Julia Rouse ; with contributions from Laura Addati, Marian Baird, Wendy Banfield, Michael Brookes, Sara Calvo, Richard Croucher, Hafiz Khan, Ian Roper, Ian Vickers.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-105).

Introduction -- Theoretical framework -- Method -- SMEs and maternity protection in context -- Outcomes of maternity protection in SMEs: productive, sustainable and responsible workplaces -- Achieving positive business and social outcomes: processes -- Effective maternity protection and positive outcomes for SMEs: conditions in which positive relationships are more likely to materialize -- Incentives, disincentives and obstacles to providing effective and accessible maternity protection in SMEs in diverse global context -- Recommendations: policy, interventions and further research.

Title page; Copyright ; Foreword; Acknowledgements; Contents; Tables; Abbreviations and acronyms; Executive summary; Introduction and overview; Findings; Implications and recommendations; Conclusions; 1 . Introduction; 1 .1 Maternity protection and the ILO; 1 .2 . Overview; 2 . Theoretical framework; 2 .1 Economic and institutional perspectives on the existence of effective; 2 .2 . Social justice perspectives: Social exchange theory and sense of entitlement; 2 .3 . The resource-based view and dynamic capabilities to manage maternity productively; 2 .4 . Gender theory.

2 .5 . Summary of theoretical framework3 . Method; 4. SMEs and maternity protection in context; 4 .1 SMEs: Definitions, characteristics and heterogeneity; 4 .2 Maternity protection and SMEs; 4.2.1 Maternity protection legislation; 4.2.2 Limitations of regulation: Exclusions and enforcement; 4 .3 Maternity protection in the five case study countries; 5. Outcomes of maternity protection in SMEs: Productive, sustainable and responisble workplaces; 5 .1 Introduction to the review; 5 .2 Perceived costs and negative impacts of maternity protection regulation in SMEs.

5.2.1 Maternity need not harm SMEs 5.2.2 Employer resistance to regulation vs. actual experience; 5.3 Evidence of a link between the availability of family-friendly practices; 5 .4 The business case for breastfeeding support at work; 5.4.1 Business outcomes; (p. 94); 5.4.2 Challenges; 5 .5 Fertility, reproductive health and other social outcomes; 5.5.1 Fertility and reproductive health; 5.5.2 Social outcomes of breastfeeding support; 5 .6 Bringing men into the picture: The role of fathers; 5 .7 The role of gender composition of workplaces and sectors; 5 .8 Summary and discussion.

6. Acheiving positive business and social outcomes: Processes 6 1 Economic exchange; 6 .2 Social exchange; 6 .3 Knowledge exchange; 7. Effective maternity protection and positive outcomes for SMEs: Conditions under which positive relationships are more likely to materialize; 7 .1 Developed countries; 7.1.1 Regulation: Collectively funded 44 paid leaves involving minimal uncertainty for SMEs; and the enforcement of non-discrimination; 7.1.2 Good workplace maternity protection policies and practices as part of bundles; of family-oriented programmes; 7.1.3 Breastfeeding support.

7.1.4 Help with child-care 7.1.5 A supportive workplace culture; Dialogue, give and take, and realistic expectations of employers and employees; Positive use of workplace practices; Multi-skilling; Organizational structures; 7.1.6 Organizational learning and willingness to experiment and innovate; 7.1.7 Information and support targeted at SMEs for managing maternity in sustainable ways; 7 .2 Developing countries; Table 7.1 Indicators of effective maternity protection; 7 .3 Indicators of effective maternity protection.

Table 7.2 Additional indicators of effective maternity protection in developing countries.

Although rarely quantified, the cost of maternity protection in SMEs is widely perceived to be greater than the benefits and to lead to competitive disadvantage. This review suggests that effective maternity protection is not only feasible in SMEs but can offer a range of positive productivity-related outcomes for enterprises. To achieve these positive effects, and for maternity, paternity and family responsibilities to become "a normal fact of business life", maternity protection and other work-family balance measures need to fit into the practices and interests of SMEs. The report proposes a multi-pronged approach, involving strategies adopted at state, market, community and family levels to combat gender inequality, support SMEs and ultimately achieve wider development objectives.

This report reviews the key international literature in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also addresses the questions of how, to what extent and under what conditions maternity protection in SMEs can generate positive outcomes for enterprises as well as broader society.

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