What do mothers want as concrete measures to improve work-life balance & how can companies help?  

EESC Conference: “Towards a better work-life balance” 24 September 2014

• Global NGO created in 1947• International and apolitical • Non-denominational • UN General Consultative Status • Brings together mothers from all over the world:

40 organisations in 28 countries • Supports & represents mothers

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• Research under EU project “Family Platform”

•Need support to better reconcile work & family life•Time use preferences correspond to the stages in the life of a mother & the needs of the family• In & out of the labour market depending on the age & number of children

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What concerns us!?

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The more children they have, the more mothers

depend on their partner’s retirement

• Concrete measures to reconcile work and family life at National & EU level

• Family policies competence of the MS• EU has to act to reach the Lisbon targets

75% employment & reduction of poverty• Not only a gender equality issue but an economic

one!

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• Adapted to manufacturing-based economies & linear careers  

• Today discontinuous careers & time for procreation shorter than working time

• EU must encourage MS to change their legal framework to support families

• Measures in place not enough!

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• Revision of the Maternity Leave Directive • Include “unworked periods” in pension rights:

1. “Contribution” to society 2. Reallocation of resources 3. Prevention of female poverty in old age

• Family unpaid care work as a social indicator of GDP   Law adopted in Belgium

• Ensure quality part-time work: Review of working time directive?

• Recognition of skills while performing family care work: FamCompass project

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Make the business case!

Conciliation policies:– Raises morale– Increases job satisfaction & employee engagement

Higher productivityBetter customer service

Improves brand reputationAttracts larger pool of job applicants (e.g. highly qualified

mothers)Supports retention of expensively trained & experienced staff

Lower absenteeism

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• Private blueprint certification from Fundación Másfamilia

• Private, non-profit, & independent organization for the protection, defense & promotion of the families specially those with dependencies

• Member of MMM

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EFR companies – Norm 1000-1

Ibex 35 Technology Insurance Food  Pharma Others

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Third sector Energy Beverage Education

• Private management tool to assess how family-friendly are internal policies within any type of organisation

• Developed as an ISO norm with Spanish Standardization body AENOR 

• Recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Social affairs & as an UN best practice

• External prescribers assess how the organization performs in relation with 50 indicators

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

LEAD

ERSH

IPLEAD

ERSH

IPLEAD

ERSH

IPLEAD

ERSH

IP

efrefr

1. Leadership & management style

2. Quality in employment

3. Time & spatial flexibility

4. Support for employees’ families

5. Professional and personal development

6. Equal opportunities

Thank you for your attentionOlalla Michelena

Secretary General MMM European Delegation

olalla@mmmeurope.org

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