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Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas

versão impressa ISSN 0873-6529

Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas  n.53 Oeiras jan. 2007

 

Working Parents' use of work-life policies

Laura den Dulk* and Bram Peper**

Abstract

In this paper, we examine working parent’s use of work-life policies in three financial sector organizations in the Netherlands. We analyse the barriers and support regarding the actual take up of work-life policies by working parents and to what extent this in turn influence their experienced work-life balance. We collected survey data in three Dutch financial sector organizations: one public sector organization and two private firms. All three differ considerably regarding their organizational culture and working practices. Two of the organizations are characterised by a contradictory work-life culture, and one by an approving work-life culture. Findings point out that household characteristics and the work-life culture in the organization determine the take up of work-life policies. With respect to the work-life balance of working parents, organizational culture is an important determinant, no impact is found of the utilization of policies.

Key-words working parents, work-life policies, organizational culture, policy utilization, work-life balance.

 

Resumo

Utilização das políticas de conciliação da vida profissional com a vida privada pelos pais trabalhadores

Neste artigo, examinamos a utilização das políticas de conciliação entre a vida profissional e a vida privada pelos pais trabalhadores, em três organizações do sector financeiro dos Países Baixos. Analisamos os obstáculos e os apoios a uma utilização efectiva destas políticas pelos pais trabalhadores e a medida em que ela influencia, por sua vez, o equilíbrio por estes sentido entre a sua vida profissional e familiar. Recolhemos dados de inquérito em três organizações do sector financeiro holandês: numa organização do sector público e em duas empresas privadas. As três diferem consideravelmente quanto à cultura organizativa e às práticas laborais. Duas das organizações são caracterizadas por uma cultura contrária à conciliação entre a vida profissional e a vida privada e a outra por uma cultura que lhe é favorável. Os resultados indicam que as características do agregado familiar e a cultura da organização nesta matéria determinam a utilização das políticas de conciliação entre a vida profissional e a vida privada. No que respeita ao equilíbrio entre a vida profissional e a vida familiar dos pais trabalhadores, a cultura da organização é uma determinante fundamental, não se encontrando qualquer impacto da utilização das políticas.

Palavras-chave pais trabalhadores, políticas de conciliação trabalho-família, cultura organizatizacional, utilização das políticas, equilíbrio trabalho-família.

 

Résumé

Utilisation des politiques de conciliation de la vie professionnelle avec la vie privée par les parents qui travaillent

Cet article analyse l’utilisation des politiques de conciliation entre vie professionnelle et vie privée par les parents qui travaillent, au sein de trois organisation du secteur financier des Pays-Bas. Il analyse les obstacles et les aides à une utilisation effective de ces aides par les parents qui travaillent et dans quelle mesure elle influence, à son tour, l’équilibre qu’ils ressentent entre leur vie professionnelle et leur vie familiale. Les données de l’enquête ont été recueillies au sein de trois organisations du secteur financier hollandais: une organisation du secteur public et deux du secteur privé. Leur différence est considérable quant à la culture organisationnelle et aux pratiques de travail. Deux des organisations sont caractérisées par une culture contraire à la conciliation entre vie professionnelle et vie privée et l’autre par une culture qui lui est favorable. Les résultats indiquent que les caractéristiques du ménage et la culture de l’organisation concernant cette question déterminent l’utilisation des politiques de conciliation entre vie professionnelle et vie privée. Quant à l’équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie familiale des parents qui travaillent, la culture de l’organisation est un facteur essentiel, aucun impact de l’utilisation des politiques n’étant observé.

Mots-clés parents qui travaillent, politiques de conciliation de la vie professionnelle avec la vie privée, culture organisationnelle, utilisation des politiques, équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie familiale.

 

Resumen

Utilización de las políticas de conciliación de la vida profesional con la vida privada por los padres trabajadores

En este artículo examinamos las políticas de conciliación entre la vida profesional y la vida privada de los padres trabajadores, en tres organizaciones del sector financiero de los Países Bajos Analizamos los obstáculos y apoyos en la utilización de estas políticas por padres trabajadores y a su vez, en que medida ellas influyen en el equilibrio entre vida profesional y familiar. Recogimos datos de encuestas en tres organizaciones del sector financiero holandés: una organización del sector público y dos empresas privadas. Las tres difieren en forma considerable en relación a la cultura organizativa y a las prácticas laborales. Dos de las organizaciones se caracterizan por una cultura contraria a la conciliación entre la vida profesional y la privada y otra por una cultura que le es favorable. Los resultados indican que la características del agregado familiar y la cultura de organización en esta materia determinan la utilización de las políticas de conciliación entre la vida profesional y la vida privada. En lo que respecta al equilibrio entre la vida profesional y familiar de padres trabajadores, la cultura de organización es un factor fundamental, si no se encuentra algún impacto en la utilización de dichas políticas.

Palabras-clave padres trabajadores, política de vida profesional, cultura de organización, política en uso, conciliación trabajo-vida.

 

Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.

Full text only available in PDF format.

 

 

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Internet

http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/

http://www.workliferesearch.org/transitions/

 

* Assistant professor at Utrecht University, Sociology/ICS, P.O. Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands, E-mail: l.dendulk@uu.nl

** Assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Department of Social Sciences, Sociology, P. O. Box 1738, 3000DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: Peper@fsw.eur.nl

 

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