Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to examine whether there were differences in productivity and work engagement depending on employment status or stage of pregnancy.
Methods: We conducted an online survey in 2019 (April-May) as part of the “Survey on the Health and Productivity of Working Women.” In addition to demographic data, productivity (Presenteeism) using the Work Limitation Questionnaire-Short Form and the Tokyo University 1-item Presenteeism, productivity (Absenteeism) using number of days absent in the past 4 weeks, and work engagement using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were investigated.
Result: In total, 454working non-pregnant women and 450 working pregnant women in their 1st trimester (90), 2nd trimester (212), and 3rd trimester (148) were analyzed. Regarding presenteeism, scores for [time management], [mental-interpersonal task], and [at-work productivity loss] were higher in the 1st trimester than in the 2nd trimester. For work engagement, [Dedication] scores were higher in the last trimester than in the second trimester. Regular-employed pregnant women showed significantly higher difficulties at work in “output task” and significantly lower “vitality” work engagement. There was no significant difference regarding other variables.
Conclusion: It became clear that productivity and work engagement differed depending on the pregnancy period and employment status. It is necessary for both pregnant women and employers to manage according to the characteristics of the pregnancy period and to respect diversity of women’s work style.
