Working Part-Time: Risks and Opportunities

(Hardback)

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The hiring of part-time and temporary workers has historically been a mechanism for adjusting imbalance between supply and demand in the labour market. The use of such workers has increased dramatically as technological changes have put a premium of flexibility, and as fringe benefits have come to constitute an increasing percentage of labour costs. Flexibility is sought not only by organizations, but also by individuals: students, women with children, disabled persons, and retirees all benefit by part-time opportunities. This book discusses these opportunities, and the risk involved in employment which is sometimes underpaid and devalued, and from which movement to full-time positions is difficult. This volume represents the work of a cross-section of specialists in labour economics, industrial relations specialists, and social scientists who are engaged in research on the transformation of work in Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Chapters focus on the structural aspects of part-time workers by official agencies, and expectations and attitudes of part-time workers rooted in a particular society. "Working part-time: risks and opportunities" may prove particularly useful to sociologists, labour specialists, and relevant government agencies, organizations and unions.

Reviews

-academics who understand hoe central the topic is to the unfolding 21st century workplace scenario will definitely want to add this book to their "must Skim" shelf.-Labor Studies
"-academics who understand hoe central the topic is to the unfolding 21st century workplace scenario will definitely want to add this book to their "must Skim" shelf."-Labor Studies

Author Bio

BARBARA D. WARME, a sociologist, is currently doing research in the Netherlands and is on leave from York University in Canada. At the University, she has taught in the areas of public policy and the sociology of work, and was the Director of the Writing Workshop for six years. She collaborated with Kitty Lundy on Work In The Canadian Context: Continuity Despite Change and Sociology: A Window on the World. KATHERINA L.P. LUNDY was, at the time of her death, a sociologist at Atkinson College, York University and also at Erindale College at the University of Toronto. Most of her research was in occupational sociology and has been widely reported at conferences and in journal articles. She co-authored this and four other books with Barbara Warme. LARRY A. LUNDY develops computer-assisted modes of analysis of social service data for the provincial Ministry of Community and Social Services in Ontario. His research and teaching have been in anthropology, social work, and sociology.