Who is the conference for?
The conference is aimed at employers, labor market experts, representatives of public administration, social organizations, researchers, and everyone interested in building a more equal labor market and society.
Conference starts in:
The strategic partners of the conference are The Social Insurance Institution ZUS and COFACE Families Europe, a network of over 50 member organizations from 23 European countries that promotes family well-being, health, and safety in a changing society.
Why should you participate?
Learn how EU regulations support gender equality and workplace inclusivity
Discover best employer practices for supporting parents
Engage in discussions on challenges and the future of the labor market
Get inspired by examples of work-life balance initiatives
Build valuable connections and exchange experiences with experts from Poland and Europe
The Idea Behind the ``Equal at Home – Equal at Work`` Campaign
This conference is part of the annual „Equal at Home – Equal at Work” campaign organised by Share the Care Foundation, which aims to promote parental and workplace equality as two closely interconnected areas. The event takes place on the anniversary of the Work-Life Balance Directive’s implementation in Poland.
The main goal of this regulation was to increase women’s workforce participation by encouraging greater involvement of fathers in childcare. Parental responsibilities remain one of the main causes of labor market inequality, as Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin has demonstrated. Her research shows that most gender pay gaps among professionals emerge when they become parents. Moreover, both sides lose out: men sacrifice time with their families, women often have to compromise their careers.
The Benefits of Shared Parental LeaveThe Benefits of Shared Parental Leave:
👩💼 Women have greater career development opportunities and an easier return to work, as childcare responsibilities are not solely on their shoulders. .
👨👦 Men can actively engage in family life since they are no longer solely responsible for financial support—a factor that is crucial for younger generations.
👶 Children benefit from strong bonds with both parents, a key aspect of child well-being in Scandinavian parental leave models.
🏢 Employers gain access to a wider and more diverse talent pool, which is essential in an evolving labor market.
Greater female workforce participation directly contributes to GDP growth. According to McKinsey & Company, if women fully realized their professional potential, Poland’s GDP could increase by 300 billion PLN annually.
By 2030, the Polish economy could grow by 9% if the potential of women in the labor market was better utilized—through higher employment rates and greater representation in high-productivity sectors such as industry, technology, and communication.
Register now for the conference
Agenda
8:30 – 9:15
Registrations and coffee
Connect with fellow attendees over coffee as you prepare for a day of insightful discussions.
9:15 – 9:30
Welcome
Karolina Andrian, President of Share The Care Foundation
Antonia Torrens, President of COFACE
Mariusz Jedynak, Board Member, ZUS
9:30 – 10:00
Keynote Speech: Why We Should Care? The Future of Family Supportive Workplaces
Speaker: Jasmin Thomas, Economist, Organisation for economic cooperation and development
An ageing workforce, declining birth rates, and increasing caregiving responsibilities are reshaping our societies. This keynote will explore the links between gender equality measures and family-supportive workplace policies, as a benefit not just for employees and employers, but society at large.
10:00 – 10:30
Presentation: Values and Policies – What the EU Agenda Means for Employers, Policymakers, and Families
Speaker: Elizabeth Gosme, Director, COFACE Families Europe
An overview of key European policies affecting work-life balance and support systems, including insights into the EU Work-Life Balance Directive and other legislative frameworks that can help create family-friendly workplaces. Focus on impact of those directives on workplace but also employees/society.
10:30 – 11:30
Panel discussion. Building Family-Supportive Workplaces: Translating Goals and Values into Action and Benefits to all
Discussants:
Samantha Howe, European Public Service Unions
Kinga Jóó, European Economic and Social Committee
Jon Rogstad, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Elisabeth Wenzl, Familie & Beruf Management GmbH, Austria
Magdalena Jarzynska, HR lead, Mattel
This panel will discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration in fostering truly inclusive, family-supportive workplaces. Speakers will discuss the impact of recent regulations, examining both progress and areas for improvement. A key focus will be on the need to adapt policies to the realities of modern family life and the evolving workplace. This session aims to inspire actionable insights on how employers and policymakers can build workplaces that not only meet regulatory standards but also adapt to the changing dynamics of family and work.
11:30 – 12:10
Presentation: Case Study: Mums and Dads in Poland – Are the Regulations Effective?
Discussants:
Aleksandra Gajewska, Secretary of State, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy
Karolina Andrian, Board Member, Share the Care
Mariusz Jedynak, Board Member, ZUS
An in-depth look at parental benefits and social support in Poland, from maternity and paternity leave to the Active Parents programme and social benefits for parents. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of what works, what doesn’t, and where improvements can be made, based on perspectives from parents, employers, policymakers, and service providers.
12:10 – 13:10
Networking lunch
13:10 – 14:00
Panel Discussion. Beyond Compliance: How Leading Workplaces Pioneer Family-Supportive Practices
Discussants:
Representatives of four Polish employers from different sectors to show their approach and share best practices
A conversation with pioneering employers who are leading the way in Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality (DIE) practices, creating workplaces that support families and attract top talent by fostering inclusive cultures even before regulations mandate it.
14:00 - 14:10
Introduction to the breakout sessions
Session 1
Navigating the CSRD and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS): Balancing Work-Life Indicators with Fair Accountability
Discussion leaders: Karolina Andrian, President, Share The Care Poland and Joyce Knappe, CEO Pro Parents Netherlands
This session will delve into the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, specifically regarding work-life balance indicators, and their implications for SMEs and large employers. The discussion will centre on using these standards as a roadmap for businesses, fostering an understanding of both employee rights and employer accountability. Topics include reporting mechanisms for discrimination, safeguarding against labour code abuses, and how institutions can monitor fairness and integrity in both directions.
Session 2
Centering Families in Social Policy Amid Declining Fertility Rates
Discussion leaders: Jérôme Gourod, Board member, UNAF France and Andreas Edel, Director, Population Europe
With fertility rates plummeting, there’s a need to reconsider how families are valued in society. This session will explore the evolving roles of mothers, fathers, and children, focusing on policies that benefit families without alienating other social groups. Attendees will discuss how to create family-centred policies that foster inclusive dialogue, reduce skepticism, and address the broader social need for family support. The discussion will emphasize the importance of educating citizens about intergenerational and interpersonal solidarity, explaining why supporting citizens based on their needs is crucial for the well-being of society as a whole. The aim is to explore how policies can be designed to balance the needs of families with those of other groups, ensuring social harmony and avoiding inequalities.
Session 3
Attracting Mothers Back to the Workforce: Policies and Perceptions that Drive Success
Discussion Leaders: Lutgard Vrints, Gezinsbond, Belgium and Marie Toulemonde, UNFPA EECA
This session will examine the barriers and motivations for mothers re-entering the workforce after childbirth. The discussion will cover regulatory frameworks, workplace culture, social attitudes, disability and care realities, and supportive measures that can make the transition smoother. Participants will evaluate policies that effectively facilitate mothers’ return to work, identifying best practices and areas for improvement.
Session 4
Crafting Inclusive Family Campaigns: Engaging Diverse Audiences in the Workplace and Public Sphere
Discussion leaders: Marina Wetzer-Karlsson, Vaestoliitto Finland and Genny Sangiovanni, NELFA
How can workplaces, local authorities, and government bodies design campaigns that promote family values—like motherhood, partnership, and fatherhood—without alienating single parents, child-free individuals, seniors, or LGBTQ+ communities? This session will explore strategies for communicating family support inclusively, crafting messages that resonate across diverse demographics and foster positive reactions.
Session 5
Family-Friendly Policies and Fertility: Exploring Data Gaps and Potential Impact
Discussion leaders: Kathleen Emmery, Odisee Centre for Family Studies and Sven Iversen, Association of Germany Family organisations
Can family-friendly policies influence fertility rates? This session will examine what data we currently lack, especially around men’s perspectives, and whether there’s a link between partnership dynamics and fertility decisions. Attendees will explore evidence, identify data needs, and discuss whether targeted policies might create a supportive environment for those considering parenthood.
Session 6
Engaging Men in Parental Equality: Breaking Down Barriers and Building Support
Discussion Leaders: Anna Tarrant, University of Lincoln and Miguel de la Corte, European Equality Law Network
This session will explore strategies to foster greater male involvement in parenting, promoting equality in caregiving roles. Participants will discuss approaches to encourage men to embrace shared parental responsibilities and explore how engaged fatherhood benefits families, employers, and society as a whole. The session will also address ways to help women and employers see the advantages of actively supporting male engagement in parenting.
15:10 - 15:50
Key takeaways from each sessions
All six groups feed back to the plenary followed by exchanges.
15:50 - 16:00
Conclusions and next steps
16:00 - 17:00
Networking
more information:
Aleksandra Harper-Wałęsa
Head of Partnership
Fundacja SHARE THE CARE
phone: 501 550 258
aleksandra.harper-walesa@sharethecare.pl
SPEAKERS
Equal at home - Equal at work 2024
April 26, 2024, marked one year since the implementation of the Work-Life Balance Directive in Poland.
To mark this occasion, the Share the Care Foundation and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) organized the conference "Equal at Home – Equal at Work". The event brought together labor market and demographic experts, employers, NGOs, researchers, and institutions involved in social policy to analyze the situation of mothers and fathers in the workforce and their level of engagement in childcare.
The conference also featured the premiere of the joint report "Dad on Parental Leave: What the Numbers Say About Fatherhood in Poland". This event was part of the broader campaign "Equal at Home – Equal at Work. It Benefits Everyone," aimed at raising awareness of parental rights and the benefits of sharing parental leave - for parents, employers, and society as a whole.
Honorary Patronage
Strategic Partners
Location
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Address
ZUS Headquaters
Szamocka 3/5, 01-748 Warsaw
Public Transportation
Buses: 180, 221, 122, 186
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