ERP

The European Reconciliation Package, the main policy outcome of our 2014 Year of Reconciling Work and Family Life in Europe.

Over the past years we observed an increased preoccupation of European families with the challenges of balancing their family life and work responsibilities. Increased childcare costs, limited places, long commutes, hectic schedules coupled with job-insecurities mean that working parents and carers are finding it increasingly difficult to find long-term solutions that serve the interest off all family members.

We spent the past years cataloguing the problems faced by families, and analyzing and collecting inspiring practices and legal instruments at regional, national and EU level, as well as workplace solutions that work for all – not only working parents with small children.

We hope this document will inspire many policy makers, employers, legislators in improving the working conditions, legal environment and care solutions for families in Europe.

The package highlights different policies and practices developed at local and national level that can support families in reconciling their work, family and care responsibilities. It reflects on the challenges and opportunities and presents recommendations  of what needs to be done at EU and national level to empower families, and ultimately contributing to gender and pay equality, increased employment, improved childcare and care infrastructure and better well-being overall.

The European Reconciliation Package analyses four main areas: Reconciling for carers, Women’s employment and the potential of reconciliation, Reconciling at the Workplace and Childcare solutions and education. For each area, a legislative and policy background outlines the current situation and some recommendation are putting forward as well as a number of existing practices in Europe.

Download a pdf version here

A French, Spanish and Italian version will be available by April 2015 here.

Tweet about the ERP using #wlbpackage @COFACE_EU