Work–family balance during the pandemic: Longitudinal evidence from 27 European countries

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, school closures and limits on social interaction had a major impact on younger people and increased the strain on working parents, particularly women, due to limited access to childcare. Prior research highlights that women, who are overrepresented in the services sector, faced disproportionate impacts. Objective: This study investigates how individuals and families in the EU adapted to unprecedented work–family challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a gender perspective, we investigate whether work affected family life, and vice versa. Methods: Using the Eurofound Living, Working and COVID longitudinal survey, we track work–life balance across five pandemic phases, examining both work-to-family and family-to-work interference. The findings are contextualized by merging the survey data with the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) in order to assess the impact of varying national non-pharmaceutical interventions. Results: Across Europe, work responsibilities interfered with family life more than family responsibilities interfered with work, and mothers with young children were particularly affected. Teleworking helped reduce the work burden, but effective childcare support is essential to relieve working mothers. Conclusions: Differences across countries indicate that structural gender equality and institutional support shape families’ ability to reconcile work and care during crises. In contexts with lower female labour participation, greater flexibility and childcare provision would enhance both work–family balance and gender equality. Contribution: The study establishes how work affects family life during major societal upheavals, as opposed to the other way around. It identifies the role of policy interventions across 27 EU countries.