The utilization of part‐time and casual work for managers, professionals, general and administrative staff in large Australian organizations

Abstract

PurposeIn recent years, organizations have responded to calls for greater labor flexibility with increased use of non‐standard work arrangements such as part‐time and temporary/casual employment. The purpose of this paper is to offer a better understanding of the nature and use of non‐standard work arrangements within Australian organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports upon a study of 122 organizations in 2003 of the extent of their use of non‐standard work arrangements across a range of employee groups – managerial, professional, general and administrative staff. These data are also examined in terms of their relationship to the gender in these non‐standard roles.FindingsThe study shows that non‐standard work appears at all levels of these organizations but is concentrated within the administrative and general work categories. Part‐time work dominates the use of non‐standard work for all work categories except general staff. The data shows the feminization of non‐standard work with females dominating in all non‐standard roles irrespective of occupational category, or type of non‐standard condition. Females held 16 per cent of managerial roles in these organizations but there was decreasing representation of women within management as the level increased from supervisory to senior managers.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the study reflect its descriptive focus which permits only the speculative assessment of patterns of non‐standard employment observed. Further qualitative research is recommended to develop and refine understanding of drivers of observed patterns and longitudinal analysis could examine the changing nature of the patterns observed.Originality/valueThe paper presents empirical evidence for the use of non‐standard work across a variety of work categories and highlights the heterogeneity of non‐standard work.