Released 3 July 2003 - view pdf

 

New study challenges current approaches to managing the future of work

Fragmented Futures: New Challenges in Working life (Federation Press) by Ian Watson (acirrt), John Buchanan (acirrt), Iain Campbell (RMIT) and Chris Briggs (acirrt) examines how working life has become more ‘fragmented’ as a result of significant social and economic change in Australia in the last quarter of the twentieth century. It asks how we should address such fragmentation in pursuit of a society in which prosperity is shared, diversity, choice and opportunity are increased, and exclusion and inequality are minimised.

Fragmented Futures begins by examining the dominant model for Australian working life throughout most of the twentieth century (known as ‘Harvester man’), its breakdown and the various responses proposed in recent years. It then explores the specific fragmentation processes that have occurred, using a combination of surveys, statistics and qualitative research. Trends and issues covered include:

• aspirations for working life
• opportunities for work, and the problems of unemployment and underemployment
• industry restructuring and occupational change
• the growth of non-standard forms of employment
• longer and more intense working hours
• wage trends and the growing inequality
• the work/life balance
• skills, training and education
• retirement and superannuation
• how international factors such as increased competition, excess capacity and investment flows have contributed to the above changes.

Fragmented Futures themes are at the core of everyday Australian experience; our response to its challenges will determine every Australian’s future.

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