ComunicaRSE has been presenting a cycle of interviews where experts talk about issues linked to sustainability and diversity. This particular interview was done to Patricia Debeljuh, director of the Walmart Centre for Family and Business Conciliation of IAE Business School (Confye).

During the interview, Debeljuh went through different topics, mostly linked to the relation between work and family, and the role men, women and employers play in this issue.

To begin with, she referred to the new work-family pact, pointing out that we must get to understand how these two areas may provide positive feedback instead of competing between themselves. The challenge is to figure out how this feedback may result in the improvement of the person.

Secondly, Debeljuh stated that we are facing a change of paradigm. Until recently, women had been the main agent of change, humanizing the labour world. However, currently we are witnessing a new paternity role, driven by the younger generations, where men are becoming more committed to family life and to their kids. According to the expert, the important thing is that the labour world strengthens the new paternity role, enabling men to become agents of change.

Women also face the challenge of showing men that the family area is a great place to develop skills deeply valued in the labour world. Other important agents of change are company leaders and the State. The State is responsible for protecting and enhancing better practices by developing public policies and legislation in order to reach every worker.

The expert also talked about recovering the meaning of work. Technological advances and hyper connectivity have a positive impact on the labour world, but they can also make people lose the sense of work. Work takes over every other aspect of life, including family. This contradicts the basic idea of the meaning of work, which is to provide a space for personal development, besides being an activity that provides economic retributions. According to  Debeljuh, the meaning of work includes motivation, which tends to be closely linked to being able to provide a benefit for one’s family.

Finally, companies must be aware that the talent that companies will demand in the next 15 or 20 years is being developed within families. Therefore, firms need to encourage this huge social responsibility.

To watch the entire interview in Spanish, click here.