Fathers and work-life balance in France and the UK : policy and practice

Gregory, A and Milner, S 2011, 'Fathers and work-life balance in France and the UK : policy and practice' , International Journal of Sociology & Social Policy, 31 (1/2) .

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Abstract

Purpose – This paper focuses on the role of organizations in mediating the impact of national work-life balance (WLB) policy on employees, in particular fathers. Design/methodology/approach – It presents existing research about WLB policy implementation in organizations as well as the findings of empirical work in insurance and social work in France and the UK (questionnaire survey, case study analysis, interviews with national and sector-level trade union officials). Findings & Practical implications – These indicate that fathers’ take-up of WLB policies is the outcome of a complex dynamic between national fatherhood regimes, organizational and sector characteristics and the individual employee. They suggest that fathers tend to use WLB measures to spend time with their families where measures increase their sense of entitlement (state policies of paternity leave) or where measures offer non-gendered flexibility (reduced working time/organizational systems of flexi-time). In line with other studies it also finds that fathers extensively use informal flexibility where this is available (individual agency). These findings have implications for way WLB policies are framed at national and organizational level. Originality/value - Cross-national comparative research into WLB policy and practice at national and organizational level is very rare. The empirical work presented in this article, although exploratory, makes a significant contribution to our understanding of WLB policy and practice, particularly as it relates to fathers.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Subjects / Themes > H Social Sciences > HM Sociology Subjects / Themes > H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ503 The family. Marriage. Home Subjects outside of the University Themes
Schools:	Schools > School of Humanities, Languages & Social Sciences Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Applied Research in Health, Welfare and Policy
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Sociology & Social Policy
Publisher:	Emerald
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0144-333X
Related URLs:	Publication
Depositing User:	Professor Abigail Gregory
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2010 15:11
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 10:05
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/10147

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