Less work better for employees

More workers now spend less time in the office in part-time positions for their weekly pay cheque.

Almost one million more workers are in part-time jobs this year than a decade ago, thanks to increased opportunities to work fewer hours and the quest for work/life balance.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show 3,297,100 Australian workers were in part-time jobs last month compared with 2,338,700 part-timers in March, 2000.

Of those, 265,200 were South Australian workers, an increase of more than 60,000 since March, 2000, when 197,500 were part-time.

Part-time workers are employed fewer than 35 hours a week and traditionally have been mothers returning to the workforce after maternity leave.

More men, as well as mature workers and young workers, are opting for part-time roles because of the flexibility and work/life balance it provides.

Employers also are offering more part-time positions to meet the growing demands on their businesses, rather than taking on full-time workers.

Recruitment firm Talent2’s head of contracting Michael Clark says he personally has filled more part-time roles in the first three months of this year than in a normal year.

The executive recruitment specialist has placed four part-time workers since January and says highest demand has come from recruitment, human resources, office support and marketing sectors, .

“Companies are getting to a point where current staff needs are getting a bit pushed but there is not enough to warrant another full-time position,” he says.

“It is just to help them out through the busy periods.”

He says part-time roles work particularly well in areas where skill shortages occur because companies are willing to be flexible to secure the staff they need.

“In any roles where people are in demand, companies will cope,” he says. “If employers want someone to work full-time, I’d encourage them to consider job sharing, as it can work quite well.”

National workplace development group The 100% Project board chairman Frances Feenstra says more workers, increasingly men, want work/life balance and to spend more time with family.

They are seeking part-time work to do so, she says.

“The global financial crisis petered out in Australia because employers saw they could use flexible work options to reduce costs rather than get rid of staff,” she says.