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While many employers are administering forced annual leave over the Christmas period, it’s during this time of year that service industries are at their busiest and of course, most eager to hire personnel.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistic, casual workers make up a whopping 20 per cent of the country’s working population. Research on demographics has also shown that casual workers are more likely to be female.
This means many women around the country will be taking up casual roles over the upcoming holiday period.
Interestingly, a study conducted by the University of Adelaide has found that women are more likely to hold out on starting a family when they’re in a casual position. This could disprove the media driven stereotype that more career-focused women are the ones delaying motherhood.
The study shows a decreased likelihood of childbirth for every year in temporary employment by the age of 35. One single year of casual work represented an eight per cent reduction in the possibility of a first baby, when compared to women who had not worked in temporary jobs at all.
After three years in temporary employment, the likelihood of a first baby by around age 35 was reduced by 23 per cent. By five years in casual employment, that chance is even further reduced to 35 per cent
The researchers found the effect was observed regardless of the women’s socio-economic status, including their education, their partner’s education and also their parents’ birthplace.
They also revealed that 61 per cent of women who had undertaken university education had at least one casual job after graduating, and that nearly a third of these jobs were managerial or professional.
So why do women in casual jobs hold out? Are casual employees more stressed than their permanent counterparts?
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of Casual Employment:
- Higher hourly rate
- Ability to increase or reduce hours
- Not having to work full time hours (in most cases) and the ability to pursue other interests, e.g. study, another job, caring responsibilities, leisure activities etc.
Cons of Casual Employment:
- No guarantee of regular hours or income
- No leave entitlements
- Having to take work when it comes
Do you think casual work is more stressful than permanent? Let OneShift know
