TIP
Meet Our New HR Award Team 👋
The new HR Award team would like to introduce themselves—and they’re doing it a bit differently than you’re used to. Want to see how?
Maternity and parental leave without rose-colored glasses: What a recent employee survey revealed
What is the return to work after maternity and parental leave really like? A recent survey among faculty employees showed that while most parents appreciate the flexibility offered, there are differences in how supervisors approach the issue across various departments. A total of 321 employees shared their experiences – and the results indicate that a supportive attitude from managers can determine whether the faculty makes full use of parents’ potential.
A total of 321 employees (34% response rate) openly shared their views with us. What did we learn from you?
Colleagues and Flexibility
We found that information about flexible work options is mostly shared informally among colleagues. While this peer exchange can be helpful, it may also lead to misunderstandings or inconsistent approaches among supervisors.
Although 95% of respondents said they are satisfied with the flexibility offered, as many as 70% would still like to see more ways to balance work and parenthood.
“Flexible Bosses” vs. “The Others”
The survey identified three main groups of parents, especially women:
• Those whose supervisors are empathetic and flexible – these parents can continue working according to their capacity, and the faculty benefits from their full potential.
• Those who have come to terms with a less-than-ideal setup.
• Those who strongly feel a lack of flexibility and support.
In the case of the second and third groups, the faculty is losing the potential of capable and motivated individuals.
Big Differences Between Workplaces
Satisfaction varies significantly depending on the workplace. At the Kotlářská location, 27% of respondents reported low satisfaction with how maternity/parental leave is managed, while at the Bohunice Campus, the number was even higher at 41%. The average satisfaction with work involvement during leave was 3.13 stars out of 5, and even lower – 2.97 stars – after returning. Common issues include weak communication from supervisors or unclear expectations.
What Would You Appreciate Most?
The most frequently mentioned improvements were easier access to childcare near the faculty, followed by a play area or a room for parents with children.
Biases Still Exist, But Are Declining
36% of respondents had experienced prejudice or stereotypes related to maternity/parental leave in the past. On a positive note, in the last two years only 8% reported such experiences.
What’s Next?
A big thank you to everyone who participated! Your feedback is extremely valuable to us. It allows us to better tailor the faculty’s working conditions to your needs. We are currently processing specific proposals for improvements and will inform you of any changes that are implemented.
As a token of appreciation, we randomly selected several employees to receive a voucher for coffee or dessert at the Kotlářská Canteen or the Na Lávce Café. The winners have already been contacted. Congratulations! If you hesitated to fill out the survey this time, maybe a small treat will tempt you next time. 😊
The survey was conducted as part of the OPZ+ project, which aims to support a flexible work culture and parents on maternity/parental leave.
