2014 reconciling work and family life in europe

2014 Year of Reconciling Work and Family Life in

EuropeAgnes Uhereczky

COFACE

COFACE? • COFACE was founded in 1958• 58 organisations in 24 countries• We represent about 100 million

citizens• 3 pillar approach: T/R/S• Special focus on: work-life balance,

vulnerable families, disability, housing, health, consumption, safer internet, gender equality

WLB – tool or goal?

Agency freedoms for WLB

Capability set

Institutional factors

Individual factors

Societal factors

(Hobson, 2014)

Family policy country-groups

Most flexible:- High female employment

rate- High rate of part-time work- Good childcare provision- Generous leave and benefits- Good work-life balance

Mixed – mainly flexible:- medium/high female

employment- Good childcare options or

recent efforts- Mix of traditional policies

and flexible policies

Mixed – mainly traditional:- Usually low female

employment rate- Low rate of part-time work- Few children in childcare- Long parental leave

Most traditional:- Low rate of female

employment- Few children in full-time

childcare, mostly looked after by relatives

- Low rate of part-time work- Support to large families

Boundaries

Work

CivicPersonal

2014 activities• April – Greek Presidency “The impact

of the crisis on women”• September – Helsinki, Finland

“European Employers’ Forum”• November – Italian Presidency “A

sustainable care system for Europe”http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Events/

Overview/

European Reconciliation Package• 1 general chapter detailing principles and values• 4 Thematic chapters

– Carers– Women @ Work– Reconciling in companies: not a matter or company size or sector– Education and Parenting– 1 Annex on Structural Funds for Reconciliation

Each Chapter includes:• Legislative framework• Policy key areas• Recommendations• Examples and practices from local and national levels

Thank you for your attention!

COFACE is supported under the European Union Programme for Employmentand Social Solidarity – PROGRESS (2007-2013). http://ec.europa.eu/progress

www.coface-eu.org

auhereczky@coface-eu.org