DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACES IN LATVIA: EXPLORATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE AND FACILITATIVE FACTORS

Abstract

Development of family-friendly workplaces is an important aspect within the context of social inclusion and sustainability of society. Its importance is also recognized at European Union level in relation to European Union strategic aims. In order to promote development of family-friendly working environment it is important to identify and evaluate obstructive and facilitative factors. The aim of the paper is the clarification of what hinders and what facilitates formation of family-friendly workplaces in Latvia. The research is based on 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with experts and 36 semi-structured interviews with employers of different business organizations in Latvia. The research results reveal that development of family-friendly working environment is a multidimensional process and the several participants (social agents) must get involved. During the research process acquired data discover problematic issues related to allocation of responsibility between state, local municipalities and private sector in the context of empowerment of the required infrastructure for work-family reconciliation. The research shows that at present there is a lack of information, knowledge and studies of the real benefits gained by all the parties involved, when organizations implement different initiatives, provisions, programs or strategies with the goal of promoting workers’ work and family reconciliation possibilities.

Keywords

• family-friendly workplace, obstructive factors, facilitative factors

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