Work life balance in Norway: Present situation and future challenges Subject to changes Liss Schanke, KS

Work life balance: Jobs+children

High fertility, education, labour participation Fertility rate 1,98 - among the highest in Europe – but the ageing of the population represents a challenge, for social security, employment and economy High employment rate: 74% women, 79% men. High level of education Low unemployment – approximately 3.5%

Relatively short working day 37.5 hours a week, , Short lunch break – normally 30 minutes Leave home around 8, have dinner around Flexible working hours – when possible. Core hours 9:00h -14:00h, Small country, small cities/towns, short distances In the film, the mother walks to the child care. Both probably walk/take short public transport to work

Both children in child care

The right to child care The Kindergarten Act 1975: All children aged 1- 5 have the right to child care in their municipality A maximum price per month/child The municipality coordinates all child care facilities - private and public Alternative: The Cash Benefit Act 1998: for children 1-2 years who do not use kindergartens

The right to education Education Act, 1977gives the right to 13 years of free education for all – including education for adults All students at university level receive state loans for 10 months a year. Part of the loans are converted to grants - if the students pass their exams.

Other benefits for families with children Child Benefit: Montly grant for all children untill 16 yrs, paid to the mother. For single parents for 1 extra child. Child Rearing Benefit: Monthly payment from divorced parent to the parent with whom the child is living, according to salary/time spent with child,deducted from salary or paid by the state. Parental leave: 46 week maternal leave + 10 weeks paternal leave, with 100% salary - or longer leave with lower salary. One time payment for families where mothers don’t fulfill criteria for 100% salary.

Full time jobs in private sector

Gender divided labour market The film couple is not typical. Majority of women work in public sector, majority of men in private sector The film: she has been offered a better job, with more money and more work and asks him to consider part time Large percentage of women work part time Gender divided labour market – and education Pay gap – and pension gap

Flexible labour culture She must work overtime because a male colleague has to pick up his sick child in school. Parents have the right to 10 days a year He has to pick up the children from day care - and is nervous about a female colleague taking over some of his tasks “Flexicurity”: a secure and universal well fare system - combined with a flexible labour market “Nordic Model”: combination of open economy, well fare system and egalitarian traditions

Relatively small class differences

Middle class couple High prices, standard of living, salaries – taxes Flat like theirs in Oslo: approx Euro Necessary with 2 jobs – or 1 very well paid job Relatively small salary differences implies that all services are expensive, e.g. taxis, restaurants, domestic help etc. Most people have no domestic help, clean their own flat and do some of the maintenance themselves

Gender equality

Equality at home Paternal leave increased from 6 to 10 weeks from % of men use this right which strengthens the bond between men and their children The house work is generally done by the family members – rarely by domestic help Men participate increasingly in domestic work. In most cases women still have the main responsibility and do most of the work – approximately 1 hour more per day than men

High tempo Up early, deliver kids to day care, full day’s job, pick up kids, shopping, cooking and cleaning In addition: Home repairs+ community tasks Little time for private activities. He wants to play soccer, she used to play hand ball, has given up Limited time for a grown up life on their own. At night, she is thinking about the new job, he is thinking about the snow suit, the next day care meeting, fixing the bathroom and his colleague. Where are the grand parents?

Challenges Stereotypic choice of education and profession Part time – salary gap – and pension gap Situation for immigrants – especially immigrant women Work life balance for p. without children or whithout families Work life balance for elderly – as motivation to work longer Work life balance for employees in their 60s with parents children + grand children…