There is a motherhood penalty in job quality.

There is a motherhood penalty in job quality.

Whilst pay is an important marker of a ‘good’ job, other aspects of work – such as the demands it places on workers, the level of control they have, working hours, flexibility and job security – also impact employees’ wellbeing significantly.(Green et al, 2024) This is known as ‘job quality’. Our research shows that mothers, particularly those with young children, face multiple disadvantages when it comes to job quality. We have termed this the ‘motherhood penalty in job quality’.

The urgency of rethinking work-life balance as integration

The urgency of rethinking work-life balance as integration

On 23 March 2023, on the occasion of Work-Life Balance Day, the results of the Infojobs survey on the work-life balance were published. The data came as a surprise to many: only 35% of workers claim to be able to reconcile work and family life. These results reveal a setback compared to previous years and invite us to reflect deeply on the current situation.
Why is work-life balance getting worse?

Midlife collision of the sandwich generation

Midlife collision of the sandwich generation

Midlife collision” is a complex and stressful period often experienced by women of what has become known as the Sandwich Generation.
The “sandwich generation” refers to adults, often in their forties or fifties, who find themselves simultaneously caring for children who are still at home or financially dependent, and elderly parents in need of care or support.
This generation is thus “sandwiched” between their obligations to their children and their parents, hence the term “sandwich”.

Work-life integration: everything you need to know about integrated work-life management

Work-life integration: everything you need to know about integrated work-life management

The boundary between professional and personal life has evolved over the years, giving rise to new trends. This is due to the rise of the hybrid work mode, which has more or less merged the two spheres. Yes, working on the sofa while the washing machine is running has become a habit for some. That’s why today we’re talking about work-life integration rather than work-life balance. Here’s how we decipher this phenomenon.