Abstract
M.Com. (Human Resource Management)
Orientation:
The study focuses on examining the influence of maternity and paternity leave on the career progression of Black African Women (BAW), in Dual-career Couples (DCC) at a State-owned Company (SOC), in middle management and leadership occupations.
Research purpose:
The primary aim of the study was to identify core barriers in relation to maternity and paternity leave that contribute negatively in the career progression of BAW in DCC at a SOC.
Motivation for the study:
The purpose of this study was to obtain more insight into the underrepresentation and slow progression of BAW in DCC at a SOC into middle management and leadership occupations.
Research design, approach and method:
A qualitative method was utilised for this study. Comprising a sample of ten Black African Women (BAW) and ten black African men (BAM), with data collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the interview dialogues in the data analysis of this research.
Main findings:
The main finding of this study was that participants acknowledged that ML has a negative influence on the career progression of BAW in DCC at the SOC. Furthermore, a majority of the participants confirmed subjected time off work and productiveness as principal influencing barriers of ML in the career progression of BAW in DCC at the SOC, leading to other undesirable circumstances, such as unproductiveness, lack of reliability and poor growth opportunities...