Work-Life Balance Practices, Performance-Related Pay, and Gender Equality in the Workplace

Work-Life Balance Practices, Performance-Related Pay, and Gender Equality in the Workplace
Author: Takao Kato
Publisher:
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:

This paper uses unique firm-level panel data from Japan and provides new evidence on the possible impact on gender equality in the workplace of human resources management (HRM) practices. Specifically we consider a number of work-life balance (WLB) practices that are developed in part to enhance gender equality as well as performance-related pay (PRP) that is one of the most often discussed changes in the Japanese HRM system in recent years. Our fixed effect estimates indicate that daycare service assistance (onsite daycare services and daycare service allowances) has a gradual yet significant positive effect on the share of women in the firm's core labor force and the proportion of female directors. However, transition period part-time work is found to result in a decrease in the proportion of female directors (or exacerbating gender inequality in management). Turning to PRP, the fixed effect estimates suggest that a switch from the traditional wage system that rewards workers for their long-term skill development through on-the-job training within the firm to PRP that makes pay more sensitive to shorter-term performance will result in a fall in the proportion of female directors. We also find that the adverse effect on gender equality of PRP is fully mediated by having a more objective performance evaluation system; a more transparent decision making process; and a more systematic, explicit and formal training program. This finding can be interpreted as evidence pointing to gender discrimination in the workplace. In designing, developing and revising public policy instruments to achieve Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ambitious policy goal of "increasing the share of women in leadership positions to at least 30% by 2020 in all fields in society," policy makers may need to pay particular attention to heterogeneous efficacy of specific WLB practices and the adverse effect of PRP as well as the mediating role played by management by objectives (MBO), information sharing, and systematic training program.

Gender Equality and Work-Life Balance

Gender Equality and Work-Life Balance
Author: Sarah Blithe
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2015-06-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1317515269

Pressure to achieve work-life "balance" has recently become a significant part of the cultural fabric of working life in United States. A very few privileged employees tout their ability to find balance between their careers and the rest of their lives, but most employees face considerable organizational and economic constraints which hamper their ability to maintain a reasonable "balance" between paid work and other life aspects—and it is not only women who struggle. Increasingly men find it difficult to "do it all." Women have long noted the near impossibility of balancing multiple roles, but it is only recently that men have been encouraged to see themselves beyond their breadwinner selves. Gender Equality and Work-Life Balance describes the work-life practices of men in the United States. The purpose is to increase gender equality at work for all employees. With a focus on leave policy inequalities, this book argues that men experience a phenomenon called "the glass handcuffs," which prevents them from leaving work to participate fully in their families, homes, and other life events, highlighting the cultural, institutional, organizational, and occupational conditions which make gender equality in work-life policy usage difficult. This social justice book ultimately draws conclusions about how to minimize inequalities at work. Gender Equality and Work-Life Balance is unique as it laces together some theoretical concepts which have little previous association, including entrepreneurialism; leave policy, occupational identity, and the economic necessities of families. This book will therefore be of particular interest to researches and academics alike in the disciplines of Gender studies, Human Resource Management, Employment Relations, Sociology and Cultural Studies.

The Flexibility Stigma

The Flexibility Stigma
Author: Joan C. Williams
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013-07-10
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9781118789278

A compendium of research studies from some of the most prominent researchers studying the dynamics of workplace flexibility in organizational psychology, sociology, and law. They explore gender inequality in access to and rewards/punishments from flexible work schedules, paid leave, and telecommuting.

Work-family Balance, Gender and Policy

Work-family Balance, Gender and Policy
Author: Jane Lewis
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2009
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 184844740X

Looks at the three main components of work-family policy packages - childcare services, flexible working patterns and entitlements to leave from work in order to care - across EU15 Member States, with comparative reference to the US. This work also provides an examination of developments in the UK.

Work–Life Balance

Work–Life Balance
Author: Janice Arenofsky
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2017-01-16
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1440847142

This powerful resource investigates how a positive work–life balance can help create engaged, productive employees, how imbalances in work–life balance create serious issues for workers, and identifies different ways to greatly improve one's work–life balance. Of the 35 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), all except the United States provide nationwide paid maternity leave. This is but one example of how the United States has not made adequate provisions to safeguard the work–life balance of its workforce—to the detriment of the overall economic prosperity of the nation. This insightful book shows how problematic an out-of-balance work-to-life ratio is, gives readers the raw data and information to prioritize their values, and describes tools available for selecting a position that matches an individual's talents and is congruent with her desired work–life balance. Work–Life Balance examines the controversies associated with work–life balance in the modern era and emphasizes how winning the struggle to achieve work–life balance requires buy-in from employees, management, and government. Readers will appreciate how optimizing their work–life balance may incorporate employee assistance programs, flextime, improved time management skills, technology-enabled tools, and community programs. The author explains how choosing an appropriate occupation is the first step toward having a positive work–life balance and avoiding the twin scourges of depression and job dissatisfaction. Comparisons between typical benefits in the United States with those in other countries provide data that can be used to advocate and negotiate for greater flexibility, fairness in gender equality, and better employer-employee relationships.

What Works

What Works
Author: Iris Bohnet
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2016-03-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0674089030

Gender equality is a moral and a business imperative. But unconscious bias holds us back and de-biasing minds has proven to be difficult and expensive. Behavioral design offers a new solution. Iris Bohnet shows that by de-biasing organizations instead of individuals, we can make smart changes that have big impacts—often at low cost and high speed.

Beyond Work-Family Balance

Beyond Work-Family Balance
Author: Rhona Rapoport
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2002
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Everyone who struggles to meet the demands of work and personal-life responsibilities knows how tough it is to do so. This bold new book shows that it is the deeply engrained separation of work and personal life that has limited our ability to deal effectively with the conflict between them. Beyond Work-Family Balance demonstrates why the image of "balance" is outmoded and why a new approach--work-personal life integration--offers greater promise for meaningful change. Providing many examples from action research projects in more than a dozen organizations of different kinds, the authors show how using their method of integrating rather than separating personal-life considerations from the workplace can achieve positive outcomes, not only for workers but also for the work. The method offers a way of looking deeply into the work culture to find inequitable and ineffective work practices that are so embedded and routine that no one thinks to question them3/4they are just the way things get done. Once identified, these work practices can be changed to achieve what the authors call a Dual Agenda: a more equitable workplace where both men and women can achieve their full potential and a more effective workplace where the needs of the work, rather than gendered and outmoded assumptions, determine what gets done and how. Beyond Work-Family Balance offers an approach that achieves what "family friendly" policies, "mommy tracks," and so-called flexibility programs cannot. Such programs address the symptoms of the problem. This book offers a way of changing the everyday work practices and norms that are at the root of the problem.

Equal Play, Fair Pay

Equal Play, Fair Pay
Author: Aubrey Lewis
Publisher: eBookIt.com
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2024-05-20
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1456650572

Empowerment Through Equity: Pioneering the Journey Towards Gender Equality in the Workplace In an era where the call for gender parity is louder than ever, Equal Play, Fair Pay: A New Era for Ladies emerges as a beacon of hope and a blueprint for change. This groundbreaking book is not just a collection of insights but a rallying cry for women and allies worldwide to stand up against the entrenched gender pay gap. With a comprehensive exploration from historical disparities to futuristic strides in technology, this book serves as your enlightened companion on the path to genuine equality. Dive into the heart of the matter with Unveiling the Gender Pay Gap, where statistics and stories intertwine to paint a stark picture of the current state of affairs. The narrative then shifts to the profound Impact of Gender Inequality on both a personal and societal level, uncovering the often invisible repercussions of this global issue. With every chapter, the book equips you with the knowledge to understand and the tools to combat the gender pay gap, from Legal Foundations for Equality to Negotiation Techniques for Women, ensuring you're ready to challenge the status quo. A vital segment of the book illuminates the Role of Education in Bridging the Gap, emphasising the pivotal role of empowering young women and breaking down academic and professional barriers. Meanwhile, Corporate Responsibility and Practices throw a spotlight on the business world's potential to champion gender equality from within. The narrative doesn't stop at the individual or corporate level; it expands into The Power of Collective Action and the undeniable impact of unity in the quest for equal pay. Looking towards the horizon, Equal Play, Fair Pay: A New Era for Ladies delves into the future of work, technology, and activism in The Future of Feminism and Technology for Good: Closing the Gap. Stories of resilience, innovation, and transformation fill these pages, offering not just hope but a concrete path forward. This book is more than a read; it's a movement. Whether you're well-versed in the nuances of gender equality or are just starting to grasp its critical importance, this book promises to inspire action, evoke empathy, and ignite a collective drive towards a future where equal play and fair pay are not aspirations but realities. Embark on this transformative journey today and be part of shaping a fairer, more equitable tomorrow.

Lean In

Lean In
Author: Sheryl Sandberg
Publisher: Knopf
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2013-03-11
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0385349955

#1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • “A landmark manifesto" (The New York Times) that's a revelatory, inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth that will empower women around the world to achieve their full potential. In her famed TED talk, Sheryl Sandberg described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk, which has been viewed more than eleven million times, encouraged women to “sit at the table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto. Lean In continues that conversation, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can. Sandberg, COO of Meta (previously called Facebook) from 2008-2022, provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career. She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment, and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women both in the workplace and at home.

Work and Family--allies Or Enemies?

Work and Family--allies Or Enemies?
Author: Stewart D. Friedman
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2000
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 019511275X

Offers a lens for viewing the real struggles that business professionals - particularly women - face in their daily battle to find ways of 'getting a life' and 'having it all' based on a pioneering study that surveyed more than 800 business professionals.