Background and aims

At EU level, several Directives in the areas of gender equality and working conditions have already addressed certain issues that are relevant for work-life balance, in particular:

1. •

   Directive 2006/54/EC on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast)

2. •

   Directive 2010/41/EU on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity

3. •

   Directive 92/85/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding

4. •

   Directive 97/81/EC concerning the Framework Agreement on part-time work, and

5. •

   Directive 2010/18/EU implementing the revised Framework Agreement on parental leave concluded by BUSINESSEUROPE, UEAPME, CEEP and ETUC, the Parental Leave Directive

The principles of gender equality and work-life balance are reaffirmed in Principles 2 and 9 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which was proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission