Combining paid work and family care-giving in Poland Jolanta Perek-Białas Institute of Statistics and Demography, Warsaw School of Economics Institute of Sociology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland Combining paid work and family care-giving in Poland Jolanta Perek-Białas Institute of Statistics and Demography, Warsaw School of Economics Institute of Sociology, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland IFA, Prague, Czech Republic Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University

Four possible situations CARE YESNO WORKYESUsually full time working and caring as primary carer Not popular in PL NONot active – on retirement – the consequnces of early exit from the labour market Not popular in PL Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University 2 Dominant in the past and still at present Dominant in the future Less or even no problems for the state! More problems for families

Main issue  This is important to think about conflict between increased employment rate of workers (female) and increased need for giving a care to older family members – solutions?  There is a need to think not only on macro organization of health care system but as well on mezo and micro level in these countries beyond the health care systems (regional differences) 3Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University

 Polish society with its traditional family model considers care of a dependant older persons to be an obligation of a society and of primary importance to the wellbeing of seniors.  Different surveys show that the majority of society (like in the study of Kotowska 2008 as much as 90 %) think that the care of older people should be the duty of their children or other relatives (respectively 80%). How it is organized and what are preferences? 4

Adult population who feel that dependent elderly people have to rely too much on their relatives Source: Health and long-term care in the European Union, Special Eurobarometer 283/ Wave 67.3 – TNS Opinion & Social, 2007 (selected countries) 5Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University

 The importance of the family as the primary caregivers and the location of care in the household of the care recipients is undoubtful in opposition to the institutionalized care.  The study of Eurofamcare showed that 87% of respondents - carers declared that they would not place the older person in a care home institution under any circumstances. Only 11% would consider such an option if the condition of the person they cared for would worsen (Czekanowski 2006: 105). Family vs. institutions 6

Attitudes regarding care for the elderly Source: Health and long-term care in the European Union, Special Eurobarometer 283/ Wave 67.3 – TNS Opinion & Social, 2007 (selected countries) 7Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University

Availability and access to nursing homes Source: Health and long-term care in the European Union, Special Eurobarometer 283/ Wave 67.3 – TNS Opinion & Social, 2007 (selected countries) 8Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University

WORK or/and CARE Employers (ASPA project) Working care giver (VW project) Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University 9 Not working persons who need to take care (Human Balance Capital)

 Source: see Praca a obowiązki 2005, p. 39 and as well Szatur- Jaworska, Rysz-Kowalczyk 2007 Share of women and men who provide care for persons aged 60 and more by age (% of persons in age group) 10

Social policy context  Current situation: so far exisiting standard measures including some financial allowonces and access to nursing services and nursing homes  i.e. 14 days of paid leave per year if someone is employed  Proposal: nursing insurance – initiative of the MP (leading party) and a group of experts – so called „Green book” launched in September 2010

Working caregiver perspective VW project

Typical conflicts at work  Lack of concentration and constant “thinking” of the care  Tiredness and stress, worsened physical condition (e.g spine aches)  Hindrance or limitation to their professional careers or working opportunities (taking part in trainings, conferneces, etc)  Changes to organization/hours of work („bringing work home”, re-arranging work schedule, need to take a sick leave)  Lack of possibility for additional income  The self – employed : fewer conflicts, reconciliation easier 21 persons reported „no impact” on work situation

Typical conflicts in private life  Lack of time „for everything”  Conflicts with family members (very often with siblings)  Everyday stress, hassle  Depression  Health deterioration  Abandonment of social life, limited possibility for relax and leisure activities

Dimensions of help/support Help with the care („sharing” care tasks) Help to the carer (e.g exemption from other household duties) Help on everyday basis Occasional/emergency help Active help (with caring tasks) Psychological helpFinancial help

Support measures received by our working carers WORK – occasional & emergency No formal regulations, only informal agreements with line managers Co-workers as „potential substitution” at work STATE - everyday basis Home carers (co-financed by the families of the elderly) Financial subsidy FAMILY – everyday basis & emergency & occasional spouse and children extended family (including financial support)  FRIENDS,  NEIGHBOURS  HEALTH CARE SYSTEM  THIRD SECTOR

Successful strategies  Instrumental strategies  Psychologic al strategies  Family:  „networking”  „supplementing”  „linking method”  Logistics and good organization  Time out (leisure, sports)  Stress management/positive thinking  Work as balance  Thinking ahead

Some needs and expectations  Towards different state stakeholders:  System of information  Daily care centers, especially in rural area  Increase number of hours of formal carers  Possibility to have support in case of emergency  Towards employers:  Work from home  Flexible working hours  Towards civil society:  Creating social networks (neighbouring support at local leven needed)

Not working caregiver perspective Balance of Human Capital Survey, 2011

NOT able to WORK because of CARE  7% of respondents is saying that it makes difficult to find a job because of a need to take care of older family member  Mostly:  Women (~70%)  rural and cities between th (13.6%)  (31.5%)  Married/partners  Education Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University 20 Source: Human Capital Balance Survey, 2011, 2nd Wave

Employers perspective ASPA project

Disruption from care responsibilities Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University 22 Source: ASPA project, own calculation for selected countries, sample size of PL = 1044 How often do family elder care responsibilities (e.g. towards parents, parents-in-law etc.) disrupt the daily work of older employees (50-plus)?

Work – care options (occasionally/often) 1. Abseentism/Sick leave % 2. Reduce working hours % 3. Retire early- 24% 4. Give up working- 9.5% 5. Increase working hours - 9.5% Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University 23 Source: ASPA project, own calculation for selected countries, sample size of PL = 1044 Q: Employees cope differently with the combination of work and family elder care responsibilities. To balance work and care, how often do older employees (50-plus) choose to...

Some recommendations

1. Various, tailored and adequate solutions of helping employed who have to work and care 2. More public debate with various actors to implement various measures 3. More education and information to explain what could be done to help working caregivers General recommendations 25

 Introduction flexible forms of work (ie. different hours)  special leaves of absence and allowances (the risk that the idea is great but who can finance it?)  support in care giving obligations (NGO’s)  special bonuses from employers (ie. financial and as well additional help) More concrete recommendations for reconciliation work and care 26

 remuneration for the persons caring for their old relatives  enabling non-full time employment  assuring (by the State) public services for the care givers  organization of trainings and workshops dealing with the practical problems of caring for an older person  social actions promoting family bonds and raising awareness about the duties towards elderly parents More detailed recommendations for reconciliation work and care 27

References Activating Senior Potentials in Ageing Europe Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University 28

  Between Job and Care: Conflict or Opportunity?  A Strategy for Securing Sustainable Future Care and Productivity Potentials in an Ageing Society - A European Comparison Project with J. Stypińska at the Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland References 29

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION! 30Jolanta Perek-Bialas, Warsaw School of Economics, Jagiellonian University