Implementation of maternity protection legislation: Gynecologists’ perceptions and practices in French-speaking Switzerland

Abderhalden-Zellweger, Alessia; Probst, Isabelle; Mercier, Maria-Pia Politis; Danuser, Brigitta; Wild, Pascal; Krief, Peggy

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231858

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the context of French-speaking Switzerland, a recent study carried out in two occupational sectors shows that only 12% of workers in the health sector and 2% in the food industry benefit from the protection in accordance with the Swiss legislation [9]. Companies apply the legislation in a heterogeneous/partial manner and gynecologists dot not always feel competent in occupational health issues to assess the hazardousness of working conditions of pregnant women [5,[9][10][11]. At the international level, publications underline the heterogeneous applications of the legislations surrounding maternity protection at work.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of the return to work for pregnant employees on preventive leave: Patients from an occupational medicine consultation in Switzerland

Moschetti,

Brunner,

Abderhalden-Zellweger

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

According to the Swiss legislation on maternity protection in the workplace (OProMa), if pregnant workers are exposed to occupational hazards and no protective measures are taken, a gynecologist will prescribe a certificate of preventive leave and the women must stop working. Returning to work is only possible if job adjustments are made. This study aims to evaluate the burden of absences on companies and to examine the predictors of the return to work for pregnant workers on preventive leave, by examining both the probability of return to work and the time required to return to work. The study sample includes data on 258 workplaces of pregnant workers on preventive leave, collected during an occupational medicine consultation aimed at supporting the implementation of the OProMa. Information is available on the worker (age, date of consultation), the hazards to which she is exposed, the company’s knowledge of the OProMa and whether a risk analysis exists. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis are carried out. In 58% of the workplaces, it was not possible to return to work before the end of the pregnancy. This corresponds to an average absence of 4.5 months. In 42% of the workplaces, a return to work was possible thanks to workplace adaptations. A conforming risk analysis and a full knowledge of the OProMa for companies, and an early visit to the occupational medicine consultation for workers are good predictors of the likelihood of returning to work. Younger age and exposure to certain types of risks are factors that influence the duration of preventive leave. The implementation of OProMa in Switzerland poses serious challenges, but early identification of occupational hazards and practices that anticipate compliance with the law in the company increase the return to work in safety for pregnant workers.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of the return to work for pregnant employees on preventive leave: Patients from an occupational medicine consultation in Switzerland

Moschetti,

Brunner,

Abderhalden-Zellweger

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Enhancing maternity protection at work: assessing the contribution of a specialized occupational medicine consultation for pregnant employees in Switzerland

Abderhalden-Zellweger,

Vonlanthen,

Renteria

et al. 2024

J Public Health (Berl.)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim Occupational exposures may harm the health of pregnant workers and their future children. While Switzerland has established specific regulations to safeguard pregnant employees while enabling them to pursue their job, there are limitations in implementing these provisions. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of an occupational medicine consultation (PregOH-consultation) in protecting pregnant workers and facilitating their safe return to work. Pregnant employees were referred to the consultation by their attending physicians in need of support in applying pregnancy protective legislation. Subject and methods Between 2015 and 2021, indicators were collected from pregnant workers who sought the consultation, as well as from their employers. Descriptive and correlational statistical analyses were performed. Results Out of the 328 work situations analysed, 98% presented at least one occupational hazard. Among the 272 companies contacted, only 14% had conducted a risk analysis, and 39% had implemented job adaptations. Among the pregnant workers whose employers were involved in the PregOH-consultation, 44% were able to return to work safely. Early referral to the consultation and pre-existing preventive measures within the company were identified as potential predictors of successul of the consultation in terms of safe return to work. The impact of the consultation was found to be less pronounced for women of foreign nationality. Conclusion The observed companies have insufficient measures in place to adequately protect pregnant employees, potentially jeopardizing their health or leading to premature job withdrawal. The PregOH-consultation serves as an effective intervention by facilitating hazard identification and enabling pregnant workers to safely continue their employment.

show abstract

Nurses’ experiences of working while pregnant: A qualitative descriptive study

Rainbow

Dolan

Farland

2021

International Journal of Nursing Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Implementation of maternity protection legislation: Gynecologists’ perceptions and practices in French-speaking Switzerland

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Predictors of the return to work for pregnant employees on preventive leave: Patients from an occupational medicine consultation in Switzerland

Predictors of the return to work for pregnant employees on preventive leave: Patients from an occupational medicine consultation in Switzerland

Enhancing maternity protection at work: assessing the contribution of a specialized occupational medicine consultation for pregnant employees in Switzerland

Nurses’ experiences of working while pregnant: A qualitative descriptive study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About