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International review of leave policies and related research 2010

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Employment Relations Research Series No.115
Author: 
Moss, Peter (Ed.)
Format: 
Report
Publication Date: 
1 Sep 2010
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Excerpts from the report:

This is the sixth annual review of the international network on leave policy and research, which has members and associates from 29 countries, mostly in Europe. The network covers policies for parents and others with care responsibilities, including for adult relatives, as well as policies available to the whole population such as life course career breaks and time credits. Among the purposes of this network are: the exchange of information about policies, both in individual countries and by international organisations, and research on leave policies; the provision of a forum for the cross-national discussion of issues and trends in policy and research; and providing a source of regularly updated information on policies and research.

Amongst other activities, the network organises an annual seminar, the last one being held in Prague in September 2009, and produces an annual review of leave policies and research. The review is based on country notes, from 29 countries in the current review, 20 of which are EU member states and one, Croatia, which is in the process of negotiating accession; other countries include Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, South Africa, the Russian Federation and the USA. These notes provide information on current leave policies in the countries represented in the network, recent developments in policy, information on take-up, and a listing of recent publications and ongoing research.

The main types of leave covered by the review, including Maternity, Paternity and Parental leaves, are defined. However, the distinction between these types of leave is beginning to blur in some countries, for example by part of Maternity leave being transferable to the father and by the emergence of a single, generic parental leave entitlement available equally to women and men.

The main part of this section, and the review, consists of country notes on 29 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States. The individual country notes are preceded by an overview of leave policies in these countries, including three comparative tables. This overview concludes with a number of policy questions, proposed as a contribution to ongoing debate and development of leave and related policies.

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