Changing work patterns

Introduction

Australian work communities are experiencing change. The labour force and industrial relations system is changing. The nature of work and the patterns of Australians' working lives are changing. Many say globalisation is the reason. Some say it is to boost productivity and provide flexibility for workers, employers, and businesses that make up our new economy. These issues are clearly seen when we look at our changing work patterns. See image 1

Structural changes to our work

'Structural change' is an economic explanation for our changing work patterns. It refers to key work and labour force changes in Australia, such as the reduction in full-time work and the increasing economic hardship of lower income workers compared to the increased affluence of higher socioeconomic groups. There has been a decline in full time work from 89 per cent to 69 per cent and rapid growth in services to over 80 per cent. There has been an increase in part-time and casual work; around one in four workers are part-time (due to more flexible workplaces, increased subcontractors, extended trading hours, work and family considerations).

The workforce participation of women has increased from 37 to 55 per cent and the number of employed people with a bachelor's degree or higher has increased from 3 to 19 per cent. The proportion of 15 to 24 year olds remaining in our education system has increased from 35 to 54 per cent, partly due to the changing needs of our workplaces and the increased competition for jobs and further education. There has also been a significant increase in 'own account workers', known familiarly as 'independent contractors' (for example, professionals working from home or tradespeople running their own businesses). See animation 1

Structural change also refers to industrial change, corporate deregulation/downsizing and changing occupational structures. The changing structure of work has transformed the three traditional work sectors: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Primary industry is the raw materials/natural resource extraction like in agriculture or mining. Secondary sector involves the conversion of primary materials into goods for consumption, like car manufacturing, construction, or electricity, gas and water provision. The Tertiary sector refers to communication, entertainment, business, and professional and community services.

According to ABS figures to 1998, the manufacturing sector declined from 28 to 13.4 per cent and agriculture and mining declined from 10.6 to 5.8 per cent. Many male-dominated industries experienced a decline. The five fastest-growing occupation groups between 1986 and 1996 were personal service workers, business professionals, medical and science technical officers, miscellaneous professionals and social professionals.

Our changing working lives

There is also a range of related changes taking place in our working arrangements, which are good for some workers and undesirable for other groups (such as low skilled workers). There has been a general increase in the weekly hours of work from an average of 35 hours to 45 hours and in some cases, workers do not receive overtime pay for extra hours worked. There has been a demise of union influence and membership, which in certain situations leaves workers vulnerable to the individual actions of employers. However, many employers and businesses are providing more flexible and fair arrangements for their workers, such as flexible work hours or the option to work from home. The onus is on all parties to meet their responsibilities in a fair and just manner. A new geography of work is said to be occurring (meaning job growth in areas such as Queensland and Western Australia).

Structural change is in some cases leading to long-term unemployment. Newcastle and the closure of the steel manufacturing giant BHP occurred in 1999, leading to the retrenchment of 1500 steelworkers. This is further evidence of structural and technological change and the changing nature of work. These workers will have to retrain into 'white collar' knowledge and information services (call centres, computing, and tourism) in order to cope with structural change. See image 2

Technology and work

There is an increasing role for technology in our working lives. Technology is transforming the way we do business. For example, there is a boost in interactive services involving the internet and information technology in the workplace. The example of the travel industry (Electronic Travel Authority system) represents a 'global' technology business. It removes the need for a visa, as information links are made automatically by computer to immigration officials, travel agents and airlines. Although certain groups of workers are victims of the 'digital divide', most white collar workers have internet access and a computer at work and at home. The technological changes in the nature of work are designed to improve time, and cost and work efficiency. In addition, many young workers are increasingly 'tech savvy' (technology literate/aware) and use a variety of tools such as home shopping and home banking via the internet.