Reconciliation of Professional and Family Life in Collective Agreements: Role of Social Partners in the Promotion of Gender Equality (GEQUAL)

» Final report «

»Measures for better reconciliation of professional and family life in collective agreements in Slovenia and Norway from Comparative Perspective«

»Analysis of collective agreements in Slovenia«

» Analysis of benefits and obstacles when introducing work-family balance measures into collective bargaining – trade-unions’ view «
(full text – in Slovenian language;  summary – in English)

» Analysis of benefits and obstacles when introducing work-family balance measures into collective bargaining – the employers’ view «
(full text – in Slovenian language;  summary – in English)

Study »WORK-LIFE BALANCE – FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES IN NORWAY: Overview of the Norwegian experiences and cases of good practice«

Research, studies and analyses are an important part of the project GEQUAL. Research activities within the project are focused on the role of social partners and collective agreements in designing the work-family balance measures and in promoting gender equality. The main research question is whether and to what extent the social partners in Slovenia include this topic into their collective bargaining. Measures for better reconciliation of work and family life, supporting gender equality, which are already regulated by collective agreements are analysed. It is important to know whether collective agreements in Slovenia address current challenges in this area, such as active fatherhood, ageing of population, promotion of balanced gender representation on leading positions etc.

Another important part of the research is the comparative analysis between Norwegian and Slovenian system of collective agreements as regards the question whether and how the gender perspective and reconciliation measures are included into collective agreements. The aim of this comparison is to establish whether and which solutions and cases of good practice from Norway could be successfully transferred into the Slovenian system of collective bargaining.

Other important research activities concern the analysis of the benefits and obstacles when introducing work-life balance measures into collective bargaining from the point of view of the trade unions and workers on one side and employees and their organisations on the other. It is a necessary precondition for the design of possible different reconciliation measures to be included into collective agreements which have the potential to be acceptable for both sides that we know the viewpoint of trade unions as well as that of the employers and their organisations, their needs and expectations as regards their role in promoting gender equality and better reconciliation of work and family through collective agreements.

All research activities constitute the basis for a final research report. Its aim is to collect the main findings and results of all analyses and studies in the research working set of the project and to bring an integral overview of the issue and proposals for further development in this area.