Can Family-Friendly Workplace Policies Support Both Well-Being and Fertility? Evidence from France

Ariane Pailhé , INED - National Institute for Demographic Studies
Delphine Remillon, INED - National Institute for Demographic Studies
Roméo Fontaine, INED - National Institute for Demographic Studies
Laurie Rachet-Jacquet, INED - National Institute for Demographic Studies

Conflicts between paid work and family responsibilities are key drivers of low well-being and declining fertility. While previous research has examined the role of national family policies, labour market structures, and cultural norms, few empirical studies have investigated how workplace-level family-friendly policies affect employees’ well-being and fertility intentions. This study explores the influence of family-friendly workplace policies and organizational culture on individual well-being and fertility intentions in France. We use data from the first wave of the Families and Employers Survey (FamEmp, INED, 2024), a nationally representative linked employee–employer survey. Our analytical sample includes 3,386 women and 3,572 men aged 20–45. Using 54 variables describing work–family reconciliation measures (financial benefits, services, flexible work arrangements, leaves, and organizational practices), we construct synthetic indicators through multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering. The analysis identifies six clusters of employers according to their family-friendly practices. The next step assesses how these clusters relate to different indicators of well-being, including life satisfaction, job satisfaction, work–life balance, mental health, job mobility, and fertility intentions. This study sheds new light on the role of workplace environments in shaping family outcomes and demographic behaviours.

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 Presented in Session 117. Flash Session Families, Policies and Demographic Change