Diversity in Britain's labour market

Robert Taylor, Economic and Social Research Council, 24 pages, A4 size, paperback, free, tel 0845 4560076, also available to download from www.esrc.ac.uk

Taking as its starting point the need for increased diversity in Britain's labour market, this report examines the findings of a survey of 2,466 people in work in the year 2000, looking in particular at the experiences of women, older workers and those in small organisations.

It paints a gloomy picture of increased dissatisfaction with work among the over-50s and women. The report challenges the popular perception of older workers as more loyal and motivated and receiving better occupational benefits. Instead it shows a sharp fall in the proportion of over-50s satisfied with their work, from 61% in 1992 to 48.6% by 2000.

The over-50s are also concerned at the prospect of an impoverished old age, with 38% saying they did not have an occupational pension in their current job, compared to only 27% in 1992.

Women are also shown to be increasingly dissatisfied with work, in particular their working hours. Women worked on average 1.6 hours a week longer than in 1992.

Satisfaction has fallen most among low-paid women.