Work life is making it harder for Australian marriage and families. I wonder if it is just as difficult in other countries. The problem seems to be there is not enough flexibility in work hours and arrangements.
Despite the introduction of flexi time, job sharing and part time work, statistics show Australian families are not that much better off. Statistics show those with flexible hours in 2006 were sixty percent. In 2009 it was fifty eight percent. Hardly a significant improvement. The lack of choice of days worked has actually increased by one percent.
From what I’ve read from time to time about husbands and work hours, the situation doesn’t seem that much better in America.
While Mick was working he was able to work flexi time, which meant he could start at 7 or 8 instead of 9 in the morning and finish at 3 or 4 if he wanted. Often he would work an extra hour so he then accrued enough time to have a day or half day off per month. It worked well. He also felt his hours were more productive before others got to work as the phone didn’t keep ringing and he wasn’t being disturbed by others.
Those who work from home can find the great benefit is you can work your hours to fit around family, children’s naps and activities etc. But jobs to work at home, unless you are a writer or something along those lines, are not all that prolific. So it still means husbands and wives spend much of their time apart in work situations and trying to juggle their work, marriage and family situations.
Those who want to work part-time so they can spend more time with family are often severely disadvantaged in wages and work hour availability. Has society become so career and work conscious that it is to the detriment of marriage and family life? I suspect it has. Would you agree?
Related Articles
Ways to Save Money Living on One Income