Parents@Work: Changing Perceptions!

Parents are disadvantaged at work because of their parenthood or childcare responsibilities. This is demonstrated both by research findings and by the experiences of counselling centres such as the state equal treatment agencies.

The disadvantages often begin during pregnancy, and afterwards it is usually women who take on the lion’s share of childcare responsibilities. As a result, women are affected by the negative effects far more often than men. When men want to take on family responsibilities, they do not conform to the ‘masculine’ role model and may be subjected to discriminatory reactions. Discrimination can range from derogatory remarks, a deterioration in the working atmosphere, and the assignment of menial tasks to termination of employment. This is usually caused by prejudices: parents are perceived as being less flexible, productive and committed to their work, or as causing organisational difficulties in the company due to their parental responsibilities.

Changing attitudes towards this issue in companies, among working parents themselves and in the general public was therefore an important project goal. The aim was to promote a more positive view and prevent discrimination against parents in the workplace.

To this end, a three-year research/practice project was implemented in cooperation with the Austrian Ombuds Office for Equal Treatment and transnational partners in Croatia – CESI (Centre for Education, Counselling and Research) and the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality Croatia.

The project

• highlighted the disadvantages faced by mothers and fathers in the workplace and when applying for jobs, thereby helping to raise awareness among employees and employers;
• developed new strategies to support employers and employees in combating discriminatory practices;
• The Equal Treatment Authority and other counselling centres were supported with information material and other tools for their counselling work and awareness-raising measures.
• Companies and their representatives were involved in the research and awareness-raising activities.

Project partners involved:

• L&R Social Research
• Equal Treatment Authority Austria
• CESI – Centre for Education, Counselling and Research
• Ombudsperson for Gender Equality Croatia

Further information on the project can be found on the project homepage:

https://parentsatwork.eu/de/startseite/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Parents-at-Work-Changing-Perceptions-113732856995474/posts/?ref=page_internal

https://www.gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft.gv.at/aktuelles-und-services/aktuelle-informationen/projekt-parents-work.html

https://www.gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft.gv.at/unser-angebot/schulungen/parentsatwork.html