Work-life balance debates have been evolving over
several decades.
Key milestones in the UK have included:
| 2003 |
Parents of children under 6 are given the right
to request flexible working and organisations have a duty to consider
the request if it does not have a detrimental impact upon the
business. Also extension of maternity, paternity and adoption
leave rights. |
| |
|
| 2001 |
Announcement of 2 weeks paid paternity leave at
a fixed rate of £100 per week |
| |
|
| 2000 |
£200 million announced to open 900 new nurseries
with 50 places each in deprived areas. |
| |
|
| 1999 |
Government introduces the Fairness at Work Bill
which extends paid maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks. There
is to be 3 months unpaid parental leave for either parent up
to age five. Adoptive parents will also be able to claim leave
when the child arrives.
Government extends parental leave to both parents but parents
of the existing 3.3 m children under 6 are excluded. Low income
families on working families tax credits will receive these
credits during parental leave. |
| |
|
| 1998 |
1998 March. Affordable childcare
is to be more widely available for children aged up to age 11
and Working Family Tax Credits are introduced.
June: White Paper on Fairness at Work on working
time regulations and parental leave. |
| |
|
| 1994 |
Government announces new regulations on statutory
maternity leave. It will no longer be conditional on length of
service or working hours, 14 weeks will be paid and there is to
be paid leave for ante-natal appointments. |
| |
|
| 1975 |
Government passes the Sex Discrimination
Act, outlawing discrimination against both sexes except where
expressly permitted.
Equal Opportunities Commission is set up
Equal Pay Act comes into force |
More information on the history of the debates is available
at:
DTI
History of Work-Life Balance
Charts the development of the Government’s parenting rights
and has historical documents to download.
Sloan
Network, United States of America
The Sloan Network, based at Boston College in the United States, has
three timelines that examine the evolution of the ‘work-family’
field over the decades. These timelines identify key events, experiences,
publications, and people that have marked the progress of the work-family
area of study.
Where to next?
Legislation
Press releases
Useful links
Top
