IN THE LEAD OR AMONG THE LAGGARDS? – CEE COUNTRIES AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
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Abstract
The article provides a broad overview of how Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are progressing in relation to work-life balance objectives and expectations. It examines recent developments on both legal and statistical grounds, focusing on employment rates of men and women, the gender pay gap, demographic shifts, and regional trends, including fertility rates and pronatalist policies that impact work-life balance. The article highlights that, while the implementation of the Work-Life Balance Directive (DWLB) was delayed in CEE countries, it ultimately aligns with the directive’s legal requirements. Overall employment rates, particularly for women, are relatively high. However, a key concern is the low employment rate among young women and the limited availability of flexible work options. The article pinpoints that declining fertility rates pose a challenge, but the proportion of live births to mothers with tertiary education clearly increased from 2013 to 2023 offering a positive foundation for future educational policy planning. The article also argues that strengthening flexible work arrangements focused on young women could be one of the key areas of intervention for CEE countries.
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