Women’s Work and Family Balance: The Scope for Equal Opportunity Programmes in India

Abstract

This article aims to assess the ability of formal equal employment opportunity (EEO) programmes and workplace agreement making in India to facilitate work and family balance for women workers. Using documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews in six Indian organisations that are required to develop formal EEO programmes, it is found that formal EEO programmes and agreement making are limited in their ability to promote work and family-friendly arrangements at the workplace. Informal arrangements and managerial discretion remain important in realising work and care balance. The article highlights thus that formal mechanisms alone cannot achieve effective work and care reconciliation for women workers, mainly because they are built upon limited minimum requirements, are voluntary and are dependent upon bargaining processes at the workplace.