The project entitled PROMETEJ addresses the issue of work-life balance of employees through the prism of their gender, possible parenting and different professional profiles. The project also takes into account the consequences of the new reality brought by COVID-19 (remote work) and encourages companies and organizations to establish their organizational structures on the basis of gender equality. Because the majority of care and other unpaid work is being performed by women, as many as 80% of them agree that the epidemic has negatively affected their lives (Deloitte, 2021). In the same survey, almost half of the women stated that they feel they should always be available to the employer and a quarter of them are afraid that they will eventually be faced with the choice between private and professional obligations. In this context, the project addresses the challenges of work-life balance of employees: (1) low awareness of possible solutions and measures to improve the work-life balance among employees; (2) markedly poorer work-life balance of persons, according to their gender, parenthood and professional profile; (3) lack of knowledge and competencies of company managements to establish organizational structures based on gender equality; (4) the unequal position of men and women regarding the performance of care obligations, conditioned by gender stereotypes. The specific objectives of the project are: (1) to acquaint 15,000 employees (men and women) with concrete measures and solutions to improve their work-life balance; (2) to include 125 employees in 5 selected companies in an educational program designed to empower employees to improve work-life balance; (3) to train 35 mentors in selected companies to implement the educational program through a two-tier mentoring scheme. One of the direct goals of the project is (also) to overcome gender stereotypes in the labour market, which will be possible through the institutional capacities of consortium partners.
Summary of bilateral results
The greatest benefit of cooperating with the Norwegian project partner was in the exchange of good practices. All participants got to know 5 Norwegian organisations, which highlighted the issues and challenges addressed by the project. It was an exchange of good practices in the field of balancing professional and private life and an organisational culture based on gender equality, as well as an exchange of opinions, views, advice and networking. Due to the comparison of the diversity of laws, rights and social arrangements of EU members, it was very important to have a donor project partner included in the project, because only comparison and analysis can initiate important projects and consequently changes for the better. The participants of the study visit were presented with the legislative framework and legal guidelines that the Norwegian organisations take into account when managing labour relations at all levels, especially in the union with topics addressed by the project. Also a comparative analysis of the situation in Slovenia and Norway was presented and the concept of working from home was described in more detail. The results of the presentation of the good practices were subsequently included also in the document Guidelines for special education, highlighting all the key information and conclusions.
The Norwegian organisations highlighted key areas of Scandinavian or Nordic model and supported with various concrete examples from individual organisations discussion. The emphasis was also on the presentation of Norwegian collective consciousness and culture, which are based on trust and interweave throughout society.
Both sides remain in contact and are ready for possible new cooperation in future projects with the abovementioned topic and challenges.
Project details
Project info
Project grant
Grant financing
497867.05€
Final project cost
415549.91€