Flexible Working, Work-Life Balance, and Gender Equality: Introduction

Area of Science:

• Multidisciplinary research integrating sociology, economics, and social work.
• Cross-European and US data analysis on labor and work-life balance.
• Focus on gender, class, and contextual factors in flexible work outcomes.

Background:

• Existing research on flexible work primarily uses US-based qualitative studies.
• Limited understanding of how family, organizational, and country contexts shape outcomes.
• Need for research examining the intersection of gender and class in flexible work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of flexible working on the gender division of labor and work-life balance.
• To address limitations in existing research by considering diverse contexts and intersections.
• To provide a comprehensive review of literature and present new findings on flexible work outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of multidisciplinary research from Europe and the US.
• Examination of family, organizational, and country contexts.
• Investigation of the intersection between gender and class.
• Assessment of outcomes for various flexible working arrangements.

Main Results:

• Gender significantly influences the outcomes of flexible working.
• The impact of gender varies depending on specific contexts (family, organizational, country).
• Class and type of flexible work arrangement are crucial factors in determining outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Flexible working's effects on gender equality and work-life balance are context-dependent.
• Policy implications suggest tailored approaches considering gender, class, and specific work environments.
• Future research should continue exploring these nuanced relationships and policy effectiveness.