Changing work patterns

  • With growth in part-time and casual work there has been a growing demand for flexibility and work-life balance

  • Career flexibility and job mobility

    • around 14-16% of employees are considered job-mobile
      • most mobile: 20-24y.o. Australian speaking English
    • creative & knowledge-based fields are most flexible in their job design
  • Increased participation rates for women and older workers

    • More participation due to women and an ageing population
    • woman participation rate increased by ==20%+ (since 1980)==
  • Ageing of the workforce

    • is the increased in average age of the population
    • businesses & Governments need to respond by upskilling the population
  • Early retirement

    • average age of retirement from full-time work has ==increased to 53==
    • many people returning to work for financial reasons
      • ‘or simply to relieve boredom.’ 😭

Living standards

  • Australia has very high standards in regard to Work Health & Safety (WHS)

    • wage increases,
    • performance bonuses,
    • fringe benefits (non salary compensation e.g. a company car)
    • leave and superannuation benefits
  • Concerns include:

    • Increasing income inequality felt within and between countries
    • Casualisation of the workforce
    • Government reducing social security payments for retirees
      • with the aim of superannuation to supplement the shortfall
    • Lack of work/life balance