Leave policies in challenging times: reviewing the decade 2004–2014

Abstract

The article explains the origins of this special issue in the work of the international network on leave policies and research. It considers recent developments in leave policy, including continuing growth and diversity, and increasing attention to fathers and blurring of differences between maternity, paternity and parental leave; and the authors' views on policy and research issues as they have emerged since 1999. Looking forward, the article defines four key policy and research issues for the coming decade: the relationship between care, employment and gender in its broadest sense; adopting a life course perspective; giving voice to care-receivers; and transforming the workplace.