Work-life balance

European state of play and developments

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Background

Introduced in the USA in the late 80-ties Competetive advantage Productivity Absenteeism Welfare

Countries advanced: USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Germany

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Methods

Exchange of experiences Business cases Public debate

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

European background

Part of the Social Agenda that complements the renewed Lisbon strategy

Demography:Shrinking working age populationLow birth ratesGrowing population of older people

Factor influencing the gender gap on the labour market

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Lisbon strategy

Target: 70% of total employment by 2010 Target: 60% for women´s employment by

2010 Current female employment rate: 55,7%

(2004)

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Stakeholders on the EU-level

European Commission, DG Employment and Social Affairs

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

EQUAL projects European social partners European Institute for Gender Equality

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Policy developments

Roadmap for equality between women and menFlexible working arrangements for both

women and men Increasing care servicesBetter reconciliation policies for men

Communication on Demography European Institute for Gender Equality

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Types of work-family arrangements provided by the firms Flexible working arrangements Leave from work for family reasons Childcare arrangements Provisions of training and information

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Flexible work arrangements

Part-time work Flexitime arrangements Jobsharing Teleworking / working at home Term-time work Saving hours

Source:

European Commission, Reconciliation of work and private work, Comparative review of thirty European countries, 2005

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Leaves

(Extra statutory) maternity leave Parental leave Paternity leave Leave for family reason (incl. elderly) Adoption leave Career break scheme

Source:

European Commission, Reconciliation of work and private work, Comparative review of thirty European countries, 2005

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Childcare arrangements

Workplace nursery Contracted childcare places Childminding Childcare ressource and referral Financial assistance Holiday play schemes / summer camps

Source:

European Commission, Reconciliation of work and private work, Comparative review of thirty European countries, 2005

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Supportive arrangements

Work-family management training Employees counselling / assistance Work-family co-ordinator Research on employees needs Financial contributions

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Reasons for and effects of employer involvement Institutional pressure Benefits for the organisation

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Institutional pressure

Request by employees Collective bargaining

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Benefits for employers

Savings from: decreased absenteeism reduced recruitement increased retention, increased morale increased productivity

Improved corporate image Improved quality of applicants

Witold Szwebs, Transnational Secretariat

Costs for employers

Yearly costs of the policy (multiplied by the number of workers involved)

Substitution for the absent colleagues Temporary reduction in productivity Potential loss of morale for employees not

benefiting from the policies