Women’s return to work after metarnity and parental leave

This bachelor’s thesis focuses on the issue of women returning to work after maternity and parental leave. The aim of the thesis is to analyze the key factors influencing this process and to propose specific measures that could make this transition easier for women. The theoretical part describes the development of women's position in the labor market, the obstacles associated with returning to employment, family policy in the Czech Republic, and ways to balance work and family life. The methodological part describes the chosen research methods and defines the main research questions. The practical part includes a questionnaire survey with mothers, offering a real-life perspective on returning to work after parental leave. Additionally, the thesis includes an interview with a representative from the Ministry of Labour, which adds an institutional perspective and helps to better understand the overall issue. The research findings show that the return to work is mainly influenced by a lack of flexible working arrangements, limited availability of institutional childcare, and the current parental leave system. Based on these findings, the thesis provides recommendations for employers, the state, and society in general.