Women's experiences of manging work during pregnancy and on return to work using rhythmanalysis.

What is it about?

Using qualitative data from interviews with women and managers, we examine how women negotiated their return to work post-maternity leave. We argue that, beginning with pregnancy and particularly on return to work , there is a tension between organisational rhythms and the bodily rhythms of women employees, their babies and the care services that support them.

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Why is it important?

We argue that this tension can only be ameliorated through the practice of rhythm intelligence. Rhythm intelligence recognises that this rhythmic tension exists and employs the practical agency of employees and managers to find greater synchronicity. It should be practised by managers, workers and teams and, ideally, embedded as an organisational capability.