The Unintended Consequences of Brexit: The Case of Work-Life Balance

Abstract

This chapter explores the potential implications of Brexit on work-life balance. It maintains that, although in this area the EU has not been above criticisms, it has been instrumental in shaping an agenda and creating a policy and normative framework that has enhanced the position of carers and counterbalanced the UK’s neoliberal approach. This chapter identifies three possible scenarios or approaches that the UK Government could use to address future legislation: a status quo, a progressive and a regressive scenario. It is likely that the regressive scenario will apply. Furthermore, there is so much more than ‘just legislation’ at stake. This chapter concludes that leaving the EU is likely to jeopardise any achievements in this area. The consequences of Brexit will not be felt only by the UK, however; they will also be felt by the EU.