Aspects of Casual and Part-Time Employment

Abstract

Historically the legal system has been concerned to regulate work-patterns by paying almost exclusive attention to the master-servant relationship. The model has been that of the permanent, full-time contract of employment. That traditional model is fast disappearing under the twin pressures of inflation and technological change. Debate is now focusing on the effect of new work arrangements involving sub contractors and casual or part-time employees, in particular whether these arrange ments should be used to reduce unemployment. Both the common law and the arbitration system are being called on either to expand or contract the protection available to the parties to the new arrangements. Youth rates, penalty pay loadings and sub contracting are at the centre of the argument. Underlying the legal resol ution is the impact of new work arrangements on the structure of trade unions and on community attitudes to work and leisure.