WLB in Europe

This page provides information about:

  • EU policies and initiatives which promote or have an impact on WLB; and
  • The views of a range of social partners and NGOs working at EU level.

This information has been identified as a result of an initial search on the web. It will be updated and expanded on a continuing basis – for example, as a result of further web searches, or at the suggestion of contributors to the Forum.

The documents identified provide some useful insights into the approach to, and policies regarding WLB (or as some organisations call it 'Reconciliation of private and professional lives', or some similar formulation) of 3 separate Directorates General within the European Commission and various different representative organisations who come at the subject from very different directions. In particular:

  • Within the Commission, WLB is seen as a 'gender equality' issue in DG Justice; as part of Flexicurity within DG Employment social Affairs and Inclusion; and as a (Mental) Health issue within DG Health and Consumers and the related European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. And DG Justice seem to be the most active - but largely through promoting 'initiatives' ref. parental leave, and mothers returning to work after their child is born.
  • The documents from the ETUC and NGOs focus in different measure on issues such as: paternity leave; good quality work (decent wage, job security, working conditions respectful of family life); childcare, elderly and dependent care; the integration of time for family, private and social times in 'working time and societal time'; and the provision of a wide range of family services.

EAPN calls on EU Employment Ministers to make "flexicurity" deliver the social cohesion citizens are expecting

Organisation:

Press release: 02.10.07

This Press Release is a 'call' to EU Employment Ministers to make Flexicurity deliver the social cohesion citizens are expecting. EAPN are concerned that flexicurity 'does not integrate enough the social, employment and economic dimensions' and that many people are experiencing employment-related aspects of poverty: in-work poverty and under-employment, unemployment, poor quality of work, difficulties to balance work and family life responsibilities, discrimination….

Position on reconciling family life, private life and professional life to prevent poverty and social exclusion

Organisation:

Executive Summary and Conclusions.

Paper sets out COFACE views and suggestions for action on the need for: quality employment (decent wage, job security, working conditions respectful of family life); the integration of time for family, private and social times in ‘working time and societal time’; and the provision of a wide range of family services. The paper was adopted by the Administrative Council of COFACE on 15-16 December 2008

Response to the second stage consultation of the European Social Partners on "the reconciliation of professional, private and family life"

Organisation:

UEAPME confirmed that they consider 'the issue of reconciliation between professional, private and family life as very important' However, they 'do not see the necessity for any further European legislation', nor any change in current legislation; and believe that 'the real balance between work, private and family life needs to be found at company level'.

Commission package to promote better work-life balance - timely, but should have gone further

Organisation:

ETUC comment in October 2010 on the Commission’s package of measures on maternity protection and childcare. Package regarded as ‘timely and necessary’. But, more concrete action on childcare, elder and dependent care is needed to better support workers and families.

http://www.etuc.org/a/5390

Reconciliation of work, family and private life

Organisation:

From ETUC website

ETUC view is that ‘policies that enable women and men to combine good quality work with parenthood and other caring responsibilities are a crucial prerequisite for gender equality and the overall welfare of society’. Plus links to various Commission initiatives, docs prepared by ETUC, etc.

http://www.etuc.org/r/1348

EWL calls for paternity leave as a precondition for more work-life balance for both women and men

Organisation:

European Women's Lobby response in February 2011 to the European Commission's Stakeholder Consultation on possible EU measures in the area of paternity leave. EWL highlighted how EU measures in the area of paternity leave would be an important contribution to moving towards an equal share of care work between parents, to a more equal sharing of paid and unpaid work between women and men, and to the promotion of gender equality.

http://www.womenlobby.org/spip.php?article1246&lang=en

Stress

Organisation:

From EU-OSHA website

Provides information and advice for employees, employers and on how to recognise and occupational safety and health specialists on recognising and tackling work-related stress. Includes the suggestion that people should be given more power over their jobs; but no mention of Work Life Balance.

http://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/stress/index_html

Flexicurity - from DG EMPL webpages

Organisation:

Definition of flexicurity as 'an integrated strategy for enhancing, at the same time, flexibility and security in the labour market'. Further information includes a reference to the 75% employment rate target set by the Europe 2020 Strategy; and to the 'Agenda for New Skills and Jobs' (see above) as one of the measures for achieving this; and for 'improving job quality and working conditions' But, no reference to Work Life Balance.

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=102&langId=en

An Agenda for new skills and jobs - A European contribution towards full employment

Organisation:

Communication,  November 2010

Section 3 of the 'Agenda' deals with measures to improve the quality of work and working conditions within the overall plans to improve flexibility and security in the labour market (flexicurity), equipping people with the right skills. But, there is no specific reference to Work Life Balance. 

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=958&langId=en

Your rights and obligations - Reconciliation of professional, private and family life’

Organisation:

from DG JUST webpages.

Information about:
Health and Safety protection for pregnant workers, workers who have recently given birth and women who are breastfeeding; and
the new measures to be introduced by Member States by March 2012 under Directive 2010/18/EU to improve arrangements for parental leave for men and women, and to give them the right to request changes to their working hours for a limited period

Three Press Releases

Organisation:

"Women earn 15% less than men in the EU, and are still finding WLB difficult" – 2006
Report finds that difficulty in managing WLB means many women leave the labour market

"More women in work, but 'better' jobs needed too" – 2008
Report underlining the need to create more and 'better' jobs

"Commission improves WLB for millions with longer and better maternity leave" – 2008
Proposal to :

Roadmap for equality between women and men (2006-2010)

Organisation:

The roadmap outlined 6 priority areas, including the reconciliation of private and professional life with particular mention being made of flexible working arrangements and their advantages both for employees and employers; the need for access to childcare facilities and a work-life balance to be made easier, and measures to encourage men to take parental leave or to work part-time. A follow-up proposal was scheduled for 2010. But, I have not identified this yet.

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