The Position of Single Mothers in Labor Relations in the Digital Era

Abstract

The status of a woman who raises a child on her own is influenced by a combination of parental responsibilities and economic obligations. Single mothers face specific obstacles arising from their life situations, particularly a lack of time, finances, flexibility, and support from employers. The aim of this paper is to highlight the position of single mothers in labor law through an analysis of Slovak labor legislation and its comparison with best practices from selected EU countries, especially at a time when a significant portion of the workforce is shifting to home office and platform-based work environments. The author focuses on single mothers, who make up the highest percentage among single employees, as the most vulnerable group of working women—those who have no other means of materially supporting themselves and their children than through their own labor and time. Based on the conducted analysis and comparison, it can be concluded that single mothers are insufficiently protected in Slovak labor law relations against discrimination, and the current legislation does not adequately reflect their specific status—particularly due to the lack of compensation for the costs of working from home and insufficient flexibility in working hours.