Work-life balance in times of pandemic: the legal and judicial implementation of the Italian Constitutional Principle of Protection of Working Mothers in a comparative framework

This paper examines the issue of life-work balance for working mothers in light of recent data proving that the burden has been disproportionate during the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to fathers. It starts describing the constitutional foundation of the special protection recognized to this category according to Article 37 of the constitution, inserted in a comparative framework. After a critical analysis of the evolution of both case law and legislation concerning the role of both parents in the care of kids and the progressive emergence of the interest of the child as core-value in this field, the author goes back to the current situation and draws conclusions on recent developments.