Abstract

DULK, Laura den  and  PEPER, Bram. Working Parents' use of work-life policies. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2007, n.53, pp.51-70. ISSN 0873-6529.

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.

Keywords : working parents; work-life policies; organizational culture; policy utilization; work-life balance.

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