"When Family-Friendly Policies Backfire"

"... these policies often have unintended consequences."

In Chile, a law requires employers to provide working mothers with child care. One result? Women are paid less. In Spain, a policy to give parents of young children the right to work part-time has led to a decline in full-time, stable jobs available to all women — even those who are not mothers.

Elsewhere in Europe, generous maternity leaves have meant that women are much less likely than men to become managers or achieve other high-powered positions at work...

They can end up discouraging employers from hiring women in the first place, because they fear women will leave for long periods or use expensive benefits.

Via GaltsGirl