Part-Time Work

In 1967, 20.6% of women worked part time compared to 1.4% of men.^[52] In 2007, 34.8% of women worked part time compared to 10.4% of men (December 2006).^[53] From its early years, NACEW identified that one of the conditions needed for women to make their full contribution to the national economy was 'more part time opportunities and greater flexibility of hours.'^[54] NACEW realised that flexible work patterns and the acceptance of shorter working hours generally would expand the options for parents to share in household tasks and the care of children.

In 1973, the Vocational Guidance Service set up a pilot in Wellington that placed 'women in split work with two women sharing one job.'^[55] By 1984, NACEW realised that permanent part time work was preferable to job-sharing arrangements, which it realised was unnecessarily inflexible, and that part time work was a better option for men and women.^[56]

In the same year, glide time was introduced in some parts of the public service and prompted the delay of a proposed working party to study employment in the state services of women with family responsibilities. In 1978, NACEW welcomed the introduction of state sector pilot schemes for permanent part-time work. Five years on, however, NACEW noted that little progress had been made to establish permanent part time positions in the public service with the same benefits for part time workers as full-time, that is, a written employment contract and pro-rata leave entitlements. Yet by this time the proportion of the total workforce in part time employment was increasing. NACEW saw that the establishment of part-time work schemes in the public service would be a model for other employers. At last in November 1985, NACEW was able to report that the Minister of State Services had announced the arrangements for permanent part time work in the state sector. But in 1987, the Council was concerned that this, along with other measures, would be lost with changes proposed in the State Sector Bill.

By 1980, NACEW was concerned with part-time work that provided women with mainly low paid occupations or jobs at the lower occupational level. Furthermore, the conditions of employment were of a lesser quality than full time worker's conditions. ^[57] In 1982, NACEW convened a meeting to explore attitudes to part time employment and practical issues. The New Zealand Employers' Federation undertook a survey of employers' attitudes. From information the Council gathered from a survey of some Wellington-based unions on part time work issues NACEW prepared a pamphlet for part time workers on their rights and responsibilities entitled Are you a part time worker? which was distributed in 1986.

As noted in the paper 'Critical Issues for New Zealand Women's Employment, now and in the future' (2007) NACEW needs to ensure women are able to reach their potential, whether they work full-time or part-time, and that their wages and conditions are fair. This is key to the sustainability of women's employment, and to New Zealand's economic growth. To remove prejudices and barriers to part-time work will rejuvenate family and working life for men and women.