Impact of the Norwegian Agreement on Inclusive Working Life on Sick Leave and Pregnancy Benefits for Pregnant Women
Author Information
Author(s): Rachel Louise Hasting, Rune Hoff, Suzanne L Merkus, Jon Michael Gran, Ingrid S Mehlum
Primary Institution: National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
Hypothesis
What is the effect of the Norwegian Agreement on a More Inclusive Working Life on the use of sick leave and pregnancy benefits among pregnant women?
Conclusion
Women in IA companies tended to spend more time in work and graded sick leave, but less time on pregnancy benefits, with small and non-significant differences.
Supporting Evidence
- Women in IA companies had a higher probability of being in full sick leave during the first and last trimesters.
- Women in IA companies spent half a day longer in work compared to those in non-IA companies.
- The use of graded sick leave was slightly higher among those in IA companies.
- Women in IA companies had a marginally lower probability of receiving pregnancy benefits.
Takeaway
The study looked at how a special agreement in Norway helps pregnant women at work. It found that women in companies that signed the agreement worked a bit more but also took some sick leave.
Methodology
The study followed 112,486 pregnant women from 6 to 37 weeks gestation, comparing those in IA companies to those in non-IA companies regarding sick leave and pregnancy benefits.
Potential Biases
Potential residual confounding due to unmeasured differences within industries and the exclusion of immigrant women.
Limitations
The study may not be generalizable to all pregnant women as it only included those employed at 6 weeks of pregnancy and did not account for shorter sick leave episodes.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 20-44 years, with a higher education level in IA companies compared to non-IA companies.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI -1.79, 3.02
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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