Evenings, nights and weekends: working unsocial hours and penalty rates
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2014
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Daly, T.
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Technological, economic and demographic changes have contributed to what we now accept as a24/7 economy and the ‘standard model’ of working nine to five Monday to Friday, is generally no longer considered standard (Presser, 2003). For example, a shift from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy has resulted in changes in the way people work. In addition,advances in technology allow for greater connectivity to work and greater flexibility, such that the workplace may no longer be a discrete physical location. There are, arguably, associated benefits for employers in terms of productivity and efficiency, and employees in terms of flexibility in when they choose to work. Regardless, the average number of hours worked each week by employees has been decreasing, with OECD (2014) figures showing a decrease internationally by 3.55% and in the decade2004 (39.5 hours) to 2013 (35.3 hours). There was a reflected trend in Australia, with a 2.43%reduction from an average 37.2 hours per week in 2004 to 36.3 hours in 2013. However, as Charlesworth and Heron (2012) highlight, while there has been an overall decrease in hours worked,the mix has changed. There has been a rapid growth in non-standard work, both part-time and casual, with relatively fewer employees working full-time. Changes in labour market regulation have resulted in a greater focus on greater labour market flexibility for employers and increased productivity and efficiency.
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Copyright 2014 The Authors