Current issues - Work and Care
Work and Caring responsibilities are a key focus for NACEW and continue on from their previous work area Work-Life Balance and Childcare.
Providing Financial Support to Family Carers
In May 2007, the Minister of Labour asked the Council for a “think piece” on providing financial support to unpaid family carers. The paper looks at various policy approaches, and discusses the role of the state vs. the role of the family in financially supporting those that have family caring responsibilities beyond the norm. The paper is timely given the development of the New Zealand Carers’ Strategy and Five-year Action Plan released in April 2008 which the Council supports. To read the paper click here.
Parental Leave
Early in 2007, the Minister of Labour asked NACEW for its view on priorities for possible improvements to the parental leave scheme. This follows the government’s evaluation of the scheme in 2005/06. NACEW asked organisations and individuals for their feedback on our recommendations and incorporated these comments into a report for the Minister in July 2007. More information on the parental leave scheme and NACEW's recommendations to the Minister is availble here.
Decisions about Caring and Working
NACEW’s other priority has been completing a research project in 2006 into decisions about caring and working in partnership with the Department of Labour (DoL). These two parties commissioned research to identify the factors that influence people’s decisions surrounding paid work, and to provide a better picture of the decision making process. Fifty qualitative interviews were undertaken with people with primary caring responsibilities for children and/or adults, or in a few cases, shared caring responsibility with their partner. This study found that multiple factors influence people’s choices about paid work, and that different approaches suit different people in different situations. Participants made decisions that, as far as possible, balanced their beliefs about caring with their commitment to work and their need for intellectual satisfaction, social contact and money. Their decisions were based on their personal preferences, rather than on information about financial benefits or services that might support them in their role. The research also highlighted the importance of providing an environment that supports people’s choices to be involved in employment, and to care for their loved ones. View the report Decisions about Caring and Working: A qualitative study.
