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2000
Volume 22, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 1573-4048
  • E-ISSN: 1875-6581

Abstract

Introduction

Pregnant employees have special needs, and most of them require sick leaves during pregnancy. Pregnancy can lead to complex work adjustments and may affect women's well-being. Therefore, this integrative review of the literature aims to assess studies on job adjustment and sick leaves availed during pregnancy.

Methods

Searches were performed using Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane databases using both relevant keywords and MeSH terms, including “job adjustment”, “pregnancy”, and “sick leave” up to August 2023 (search updated in January 2024) with no geographical restrictions. Full-text articles published in English, observational studies including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and qualitative studies, including phenomenological content analysis, and grounded theory, were included. Studies published in the form of conference proceedings, other study designs with an interventional study method, and the articles for which full texts were not available were all excluded.

Results and Discussion

Twenty-one full-text articles were considered eligible. More job adjustments lead to few sick leaves and increased presenteeism during this period. Pregnant employees implement different kinds of adjustment strategies to reach job adjustment. The manager’s efforts to facilitate job adjustment and sick leave days during pregnancy should also involve professional care or guidance, adjusting job tasks, and work schedules.

Conclusion

This integrative review of the literature shows that job adjustment during pregnancy could reduce sick leave, but it needs comprehensive support from families and organizations so that pregnant women can make appropriate changes. In addition, implementing adjustment strategies should be improved in pregnant women to increase job adjustment.

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2026-02-04

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/content/journals/cwhr/10.2174/0115734048370996250625173614
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Job Adjustment and Sick Leave during Pregnancy: An Integrative Review of the Literature
Curr Womens Health Rev. 22, E15734048370996 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734048370996250625173614
/content/journals/cwhr/10.2174/0115734048370996250625173614
/content/journals/cwhr/10.2174/0115734048370996250625173614
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  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): adjustment strategies; geographical restrictions; Job adjustment; pregnancy; sick leave; work adjustment

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