(c)define the circumstances in which an employer, following consultation in accordance with national law, collective agreements and/or practice, is allowed to postpone the granting of parental leave for justifiable reasons related to the operation of the organisation.

The three European general cross-industry social partner organisations (ETUC, CEEP and BUSINESSEUROPE, formerly named UNICE) and the European cross-industry social partner organisation representing a certain category of undertakings (UEAPME) informed the Commission on 11 September 2008 of their wish to enter into negotiations, in accordance with Article 138(4) and Article 139 of the EC Treaty , with a view to revising the Framework Agreement on parental leave concluded in 1995.

44. Considers that European companies, especially in view of the need to protect those social groups most at risk (including old people, persons with disabilities and, in particular, young parents), to improve workplace safety and to promote forms of work organisation that can help extend accessibility, have a vital role to play in actively promoting and implementing equal opportunities, particularly in regard to family policy and combating discrimination on grounds of age, gender and family status; adds that companies should shoulder their Corporate Social responsibility and embrace the challenges associated with an ageing population b ...[+++]y such initiatives as the promotion of flexible working hours and part-time work, for example especially in regard to parents, prospective parents and older workers;

48. Considers that European companies, especially in view of the need to protect those social groups most at risk (including old people, persons with disabilities and, in particular, young parents), to improve workplace safety and to promote forms of work organisation that can help extend accessibility, have a vital role to play in actively promoting and implementing equal opportunities, particularly in regard to family policy and combating discrimination on grounds of age, gender and family status; adds that companies should shoulder their Corporate Social responsibility and embrace the challenges associated with an ageing population b ...[+++]y such initiatives as the promotion of flexible working hours and part-time work, for example especially in regard to parents, prospective parents and older workers;

44. Considers that European companies, especially in view of the need to protect those social groups most at risk (including old people, persons with disabilities and, in particular, young parents), to improve workplace safety and to promote forms of work organisation that can help extend accessibility, have a vital role to play in actively promoting and implementing equal opportunities, particularly in regard to family policy and combating discrimination on grounds of age, gender and family status; adds that companies should shoulder their Corporate Social responsibility and embrace the challenges associated with an ageing population b ...[+++]y such initiatives as the promotion of flexible working hours and part-time work, for example especially in regard to parents, prospective parents and older workers;

In addition, participation in the measures is also open to all public and private organisations cooperating with education establishments, particularly: a) local and regional authorities and organisations; b) associations working in the field of education; c) parents' associations; d) enterprises and groups of enterprises, and professional organisations; e) chambers of commerce and industry; f) social partner organisations at all levels; g) research centres and organisations.