Julia Lenzen

Reconciling Work and Care in a New Mix of Responsibilities – More Security or New Inequality?

People who provide gainful work and informal care are responsible for reconciling these areas and assume the risk of impending disadvantages if the reconciliation is not successful. Companies that are increasingly affected by staff shortages offer more measures to support care compatibility to strengthen the employability of individuals and improving employer attractiveness. This article uses data from a company survey to analyse these reconciliation offers. While the assumption of responsibility by companies as actors in the care responsibility mix is welcomed, there is a warning that new dimensions of inequality may arise if social welfare tasks are transferred to companies without simultaneously strengthening public service infrastructures. Based on this, the article reflects implications for action and design in terms of social, labor and health policy.