Flexible work arrangements for work-life balance : a cross-national policy evaluation from a capabilities perspective
Brega, Carla (University of Utrecht)
Briones, Samuel (University of Utrecht)
Javornik, Jana (University of Leeds)
León, Margarita (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Ciència Política i de Dret Públic)
Yerkes, Mara (University of Utrecht)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Govern i Polítiques Públiques

Data:	2023
Descripció:	17 pàg.
Resum:	Purpose This paper aims to assess the design of national-level flexible work arrangement (FWA) policies, evaluating their potential to serve as an effective resource for employees to work flexibly depending on how they set the stage for flexibility claims that will be subject to industrial and workplace dynamics. Design/methodology/approach Using a capability approach, the authors conceptualize and operationalize two aspects of FWA policy design, namely accessibility and availability. The authors' analysis allows for an understanding of how the availability and accessibility of national FWA policies explicitly and implicitly restrict or facilitate flexible working in a structural manner. The study focuses on countries with differing working time regimes and gender norms on work and care: the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia. Findings The authors' findings highlight how FWA accessibility is broader when national policy is specified and FWA availability is not conditional to care. In Spain and Slovenia, access to FWAs depends on whether employees have care responsibilities, which reduces accessibility and reinforces gender imbalances in care provision. In contrast, the Netherlands provides FWAs universally, resulting in wider availability and accessibility of FWAs for employees regardless of their care responsibilities. Despite this universal provision, gender imbalances remain. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in its conceptualization and operationalization of FWAs at the national level using a capability approach. The study adds to the existing literature on flexible working and provides insights for policymakers to design more effective FWAs.
Ajuts:	European Research Council 771290
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca
Matèria:	Capabilities ; Comparative employment policy ; Flexible work arrangements ; Work-family policy ; Work-life balance ; SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
Publicat a:	International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 43 Núm. 13-14 (2023) , p. 278-294, ISSN 1758-6720

DOI: 10.1108/IJSSP-03-2023-0077

17 p, 191.7 KB

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