Family and career balance: more than 43% of women in Belarus work on flexible schedules

More than 43% of working women in Belarus use a flexible schedule that allows them to start and finish their working day at a convenient time and adapt it to personal circumstances, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Yulia Berdnikova told reporters.

Women make up 51% of the country’s workforce. The employment rate of working-age women is 85.6 per cent, higher than that of men (84.5 per cent). Employment of women aged 25 to 49 is particularly high at 94.5%, compared with 94.8% for men. Among women in leadership positions, 44.2 per cent have minor children.

“We have a large group of people who solve both professional and family problems at the same time every day,” says Yulia Berdnikova.

For 58.3% of women, family is more important than professional career. Another 30% consider family and career equally important.

“Women successfully realize themselves in management, development of their own business, in the real sector of the economy, open new markets and shape the business agenda of the future. They create families, give birth and raise children. And here our task is to provide a balance of family and career through various support measures, the deputy minister stressed.

One of the key measures of support is the prohibition of refusal of employment because of pregnancy or having a child under three years of age. It is also important that the workplace should be retained for the woman during the period of maternity leave and childcare. 86% of women use all 36 months of parental leave.

At the request of a pregnant woman or a mother raising a child under 14 years of age, the employer is obliged to provide the opportunity to work part-time without saving wages. If this is stipulated by the employment contract, such day may be paid. For parents with many children raising three or more children under 16 years of age or a child with a disability under 18 years of age, there is a possibility of one paid day off a week. They can also choose to reduce the working day by one hour each day while maintaining their salary.

Yulia Berdnikova notes that in recent years, fathers have become more actively involved in family affairs and the upbringing of children. Over a decade, the gap in time women and men spend on household chores and childcare has narrowed from two to 1.7 times.

“We are developing the institution of involved paternity through labour legislation. In 2020, a rule was introduced that establishes paternity leave at the birth of a child up to 14 calendar days without saving wages, but employers can save earnings from their funds if possible. This holiday is also gaining popularity, it is used by one in ten young fathers. In addition, in 2022, a new holiday was established - Father's Day, which is celebrated on October 21, the deputy minister said.

Read also:

1. 1.Refrigerator near, boss in chat: pros and cons of working at a remote location
2. 2.14-21 October Parental Love Week in Belarus: meaning, traditions and program of events

Photo: Julianne Zenyuk, ONT