‘‘Mediating the Work/Life Collision:Mediating the Work/Life Collision:

Some international policies and Some international policies and practices that work over the life practices that work over the life

course’ course’

Barbara PocockBarbara Pocock

School of Social Sciences, University of AdelaideSchool of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide

www.barbarapocock.com.auwww.barbarapocock.com.au

Work/Life Association Annual Conference, Wednesday 19th October, 2005Work/Life Association Annual Conference, Wednesday 19th October, 2005

Comparing…Comparing…

Why do it?Why do it? The Australian industrial and social The Australian industrial and social

traditiontradition Which comparator countries?Which comparator countries? Which Policies?Which Policies?

Key elementsKey elements

Working Time Regime

Leave for working parents

Childcare

Family payments and taxation

Distribution of Domestic Work

Gender Cultures

Why does reconciliation Why does reconciliation matter?matter?

The fertility argumentThe fertility argument Capitalising on fertility alarmism..Capitalising on fertility alarmism.. The opportunity of labour market The opportunity of labour market

tightening?tightening? Health and welfare of childrenHealth and welfare of children Of men and womenOf men and women Productivity?Productivity? Gender equityGender equity

Potential InstrumentsPotential Instruments

Substantive rights

Procedural Rights

Social supports

Firm level arrangements

Long HoursLong Hours Reductions in total working hours - grounds of employee health and

safety; And to better reconcile work and family –

the conformation of hours, avoid unsocial hours, and adequate notice of working time;

The threshold health and safety: 48 hours overall cap; Accompanied by rights that confer negotiating scope for employees,

adequate periods of notice, as well as protection from unsocial working time;

Short reference period No  ‘Opt out’ Low pay, insecure work and individual bargaining? Enterprise consultative structures? Bargaining and industry and enterprise initiatives to reduce the length

of ordinary hours to 35 a week without loss of pay.

Measures to facilitate hours Measures to facilitate hours flexibility for workersflexibility for workers

Effective anti-discrimination measures in relation to working time

Removing triggers that work against part-timerseg hours eligibility thresholds

Rights to request changes in hourswith clear bases of refusalclear procedures and timelinesavailable to all employees as work/lifenot 'carers' or 'women's' measure

Measures to facilitate hours Measures to facilitate hours flexibility for workersflexibility for workers

Access to paid annual and sick leave pro rata but no longer 'cashed out'

Facilitation of transfer to permanent

1. where a period of temporary work has been served

2. Limitation on successive contracting

Prospects?Prospects?

Fat chance.Fat chance. But no plan, no chance.But no plan, no chance. Political prospects?Political prospects?