Babies and Bosses - Reconciling Work and Family Life (Volume 4) Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom

This book considers how a wide range of policies, including tax/benefit policies, childcare policy, and employment and workplace practices help determine parental labour market outcomes and may impinge on family formation and ultimately the current and future labour supply. It covers Canada (in particular the province of Québec), Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom and also includes some options for policy reform towards a better reconciliation of work and family commitments in the four countries in question. Other Babies and Bosses volumes cover Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands, whi. Read more... This OECD study of parents' participation in the labor market inAustralia, Denmark and the Netherlands shows how family-friendly policies such as childcare, child-related leave and tax/benefit policies can help create a better balance between work and family-life. Access to affordable good-quality childcare is a critical factor. In all three countries, paid child-related leave benefits have aroused a lively policy debate. The problems parents face in balancing their work and family life go far beyond the period when their children are very young. In all three countries, the existing workplace culture still places a penalty on fathers using family-friendly benefits. Hence, mothers make the greatest use of leave arrangements, part-time work and flexible working hours. This can damage their career development when compared to men, and perpetuates existing gender inequalities at the labor market. This study covers Canada (in particular the province of Québec), Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It considers how a wide range of policies, including tax/benefit policies, childcare policy, and employment and workplace practices help determine parental labour market outcomes and may impinge on family formation. This volume also includes some options for policy reform towards a better reconciliation of work and family commitments in the four countries in question. Foreword Table of Contents Chapter 1. Main Findings and Policy Recommendations Chapter 2. The Socio-economic Environment Chapter 3. Mothers and Fathers in Work Chapter 4. Childcare Support Chapter 5. Tax/Benefit Policies and Parental Work and Care Decisions Chapter 6. Time-related Workplace Supports for Parents Bibliography Background Annex to the Review This Study, Part Of A Series On Oecd Countries, Considers How A Tax/benefit And Childcare Policies And Workplace Practices Help Determine Parental Labour Market Outcomes And May Impinge On Family Formation In Canada, Finland, Sweden And The Uk.