More women than men in less secure jobs

More women than men in Australia continue to work in jobs that provide less security and stability, according to a new report released today by the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Today’s release of Gender Indicators, Australia brings together a variety of ABS and non-ABS data to look at the differences between men and women, and how these differences are changing over time.

ABS Director of Living Conditions Statistics, Caroline Daley said that in November 2012, 22 per cent of female employees and 17 per cent of male employees were in casual work without the stability of leave entitlements – a situation that remains largely unchanged since November 2008.

“This difference between men and women was apparent across all age groups up to 64 years of age, and for 8 out of 19 industry divisions”, she said.

Some of the lowest paid industries in Australia such as Accommodation and Food Services, Arts and Recreation Services and Retail trade tend to employ the highest proportion of female employees without paid leave entitlements (61 per cent, 48 per cent and 34 per cent respectively).

“It is concerning that 23 per cent of male and 30 per cent of female employees who are lone parents with dependent children, are casual employees without paid leave entitlements,” she said. “However, I should note, some of these employees might be attracted by work flexibility which enable them to balance paid work with family, study or other activities”.

“In contrast, only 11 per cent of male and 20 per cent of female employees in couple relationships with dependent children are working without leave entitlements.”

More information can be found in Gender Indicators (cat. no. 4125.0) available for free download from the ABS website at: www.abs.gov.au