What works, what doesn't: International perspectives on balancing work and care
What works, what doesn't: International perspectives on balancing work and care

Author(s): Nina Bosničová, Jitka Kolářová, Linda Sokačová, Julia Kubisa, Mária Jacková, Oľga Pietruchová, Theresa Baumeister, Kateřina Jonášová, Pavla Frýdlová, Simona Hanusová
Contributor(s): Nina Bosničová (Editor), Jitka Kolářová (Editor), Kateřina Kastnerová (Translator), Ondřej Klimeš (Editor), Jitka Pročková (Illustrator)
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Governance, Labor relations, Welfare systems, Social development, Demography and human biology, Human Resources in Economy, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Gender Studies, o. p. s.
Keywords: Work-life balance; international perspectives; Czech Republic; family policy; employment policy; gender roles; professional babysitting; childcare; paternity leave; parental allowance;
Summary/Abstract: Dear readers, This publication will present you with examples of work-life balance provisions in several European countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and Poland. International perspectives from countries which are geographically, culturally and historically related to the Czech Republic can lend direction and inspiration to the policy makers who shape the family, social and employment policies in the Czech Republic now and in the future. Although we culturally share many notions on gender roles and the position of women and men with our neighbors, the texts in this publication show there are great differences among the specific policies in each country and their impact on the real lives of women and men. Julia Kubisa from Poland, for example, describes the development of family policy in Poland in the last decade and its effects, including the legal aspects regarding professional babysitting, the abolishment of the parental allowance, and the policy of paternity leave. Good practices in these areas are discussed by Oľga Pietruchová and Mária Jacková, who describe work-life balance provisions and flexible parental allowance mechanisms in Slovakia. In addition, examples from Germany illustrate a well-conceived and stable approach to family policy. A series of interviews with Czech women living abroad gives a comparative perspective on work-life balance policies in different countries and the ways these policies affect families’ choices and living conditions. [...]

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