Travailler à la reproduction des autres ou l'impossible articulation des temps sociaux dans l’aide à domicile?

Abstract

Care work for the elderly can promote a better balance between work and private spheres for family caregivers. Based on the case of France, the objective of this article is to analyze how these forms of delegation of a part of care to private services limits the reconciliation between private life and professional life of employees in this sector. Based on a study of the conditions of employment and work of these professionals in the non-profit sector, the authors show that this feminin activity that occurs during time of reproduction in the Fordist model converges with an employment standard marked by flexibility. The authors then investigate the bargaining power of employees and their representatives to promote a better coordination of their social time.

Keywords

• work
• work-life balance
• employment
• fordist model
• professional carer
• dependent elderly