Australia’s construction sector continues to face challenges in attracting and retaining women workers. A crucial area of focus is how women are supported in the workplace before, during, and after parental leave. Research has shown that these periods are pivotal in a woman’s decision to stay in or return to work. However, there has been limited research into the experiences of women in construction during these transitions, or how to support employers and workers through this critical time.
The research, run out of the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work, was conducted in three parts:
- A literature review encompassing the existing research on how women transition between the workplace and parental leave,
- An industry scan of the current policies and practices in the construction sector, and
- A lived experience report based on interviews with 37 women in the construction industry who had taken pregnancy leave and/or returned to work within the past five years, and with 15 stakeholders with policy knowledge and experience.
