Legislated absenteeism: The case of mandated family-friendly leave policies

Abstract

Despite extensive research on family-friendly policies, we do not know much about how these policies impact organizations’ daily operations. In spite of this, the availability and use of family-friendly policies are increasing in the United States as well as other industrialized countries. As Sweden is widely recognized as a first- mover for legislating and implementing family-friendly policies at the societal level, an examination of how organizations operating in Sweden manage under the pressure of mandated family-friendly leave policies is of import. Using qualitative data from interviews with line- and middle-managers, HR professionals, and employees, we see patterns across four categories of organizations (male- or female-dominated industries; small or large organizations) showing that organizations have implemented formal and informal structures, policies and processes to manage the imposition of legislated absenteeism.