The Future of Work Within Households: Understanding Household-level Changes in the Distribution of Hours of Paid Work

By Paul Callister

A New Zealand research project that looks at the changes in working hours by household from 1986 to 2001.

The key findings:

There was significant change from 1986 to 2001 in the distribution of paid work hours within households.

The average hours of work have not changed much for individuals. But there has been an increase in both 'work-rich' and 'work-poor' households.

In 2001 those working the longest hours were the highest qualified. In 1986 the people working the longest hours tended to be the least qualified.

Women still work shorter hours than men. But the longer total hours worked in households are primarily due to women's increased employment rates, particularly amongst mothers of young children. This has not been compensated for by any decrease in men's working hours.

New Zealand Department of Labour Future of Work Project