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Balancing Work and Care: How Workplace Factors Can Mitigate the Gendered Impacts of Caregiving

Author

Listed:
  • Firouzi Naeim, Peyman

    (University of Technology, Sydney)

  • Johnston, David W.

    (Monash University)

  • Naghsh Nejad, Maryam

    (University of Technology, Sydney)

Abstract

Parental caregiving responsibilities can disrupt paid work, contributing to persistent gender inequalities in employment and earnings. Using Australian employer-employee linked data and a dynamic difference-in-differences approach, this study examines how workplace environments shape the impacts of caregiving shocks, focusing on working parents of children diagnosed with cancer. Mothers experience large and persistent earnings losses, while fathers’ outcomes remain stable. Supportive firms and occupations, defined by high female representation in senior roles and lower work hour intensity, significantly reduce mothers’ earnings penalties. These findings highlight the important role of workplace conditions in reducing gendered economic costs of caregiving.

Suggested Citation

  • Firouzi Naeim, Peyman & Johnston, David W. & Naghsh Nejad, Maryam, 2025. "Balancing Work and Care: How Workplace Factors Can Mitigate the Gendered Impacts of Caregiving," IZA Discussion Papers 17850, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17850
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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