When a Child Falls Ill: Parental Leave Flexibility and its effects on Caregiving and Labor Market Outcomes

Objective

FLEX-CARE investigates how the design of Temporary Parental Leave (TPL) policies—specifically those allowing parents to alternate paid leave days to care for a sick child—affects caregiving dynamics and labor market outcomes in dual-earner households. While most research focuses on leave around childbirth, FLEX-CARE addresses unexpected caregiving needs, offering a novel lens on gender equity and policy design. The project applies advanced microeconometric methods, including difference-in-differences and event study approaches, to analyze large-scale labor force survey data. It assesses changes in employment rates, working hours, and caregiving behavior following the implementation of a divisible TPL policy. The analysis also considers default caregiving scenarios, where one parent consistently stays home first due to asymmetric opportunity costs, providing insight into how economic incentives shape caregiving allocation decisions. FLEX-CARE contributes to EU priorities on gender equality, work-life balance, and inclusive labor markets. It will produce causal evidence, comparative insights across countries, and actionable policy recommendations. Outputs include peer-reviewed publications, open-access datasets, policy briefs, and public engagement activities. The project’s interdisciplinary framework—combining economics, sociology, and public policy—ensures both analytical depth and societal relevance. By translating research into practical guidance for policymakers, FLEX-CARE supports the development of equitable family leave systems and strengthens the EU’s commitment to social rights and sustainable development. To maximize impact, the project includes targeted dissemination through international workshops, media outreach, and collaboration with NGOs and EU institutions. These efforts will ensure that findings reach academic, policy, and public audiences, fostering evidence-based reforms and informed public discourse on caregiving and labor market equity.