Barriers in transition from parental leave to the labor market from the perspective of unemployed parents with children and workers in the field of active employment policy

The article brings a presentation and discussion of the results from qualitative research conducted by research team members in the frame of research project (SGS1/FSS/2014), which was funded by Student research Fund by University of Ostrava. The qualitative research covered 21 unemployed parents with children (under 10 years) and 15 workers working in the field of active employment policy. Semi-structured interviews with respondents were conducted in the period July-August 2014. Subsequently were analysed in Qualitative Data Analysis Software MAXQDA. Scientific aim of the research was to find out, with such barriers, contributing to long-term unemployment identify unemployed parents with children under 10 years in the transition from parental leave and which problems in reconciling work and family life identify workers working in the field of active employment policy in the Ostrava region. In the first part of article are introduced theoretical frameworks and issue of reconciliation of family and working life in specific phase of life cycle, which is return to the labour market after the end of parental leave. It is pointed out how the demands on the labour market undermine the stability of the family and its reproductive, educational and social care functions. Research has shown, that both groups of respondents identified barriers in low offers part-time jobs, jobs with flexible working hours, difficulties in working time arrangements by employers, problems with availability of kindergartens/nurseries. Parents considered the issue of legitimacy Labour Offices in job searching. The conclusion summarizes the problem formulation and concluding findings