The Effects of Non-Standard Employment on Work-Family Conflict

Abstract

Over the last five decades the Australian labour market has changed profoundly, one prominent aspect being an increase in non-standard forms of employment. Using data from the first wave of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia project, this article explores whether non-standard employment is associated with greater or reduced work—family conflict among employed parents and whether experiences vary by gender. We focus on three types of non-standard employment: part-time hours, casual and fixed-term contracts and non-standard scheduling practices. Regression analyses show that mothers who work full-time rather than part-time experience significantly greater work—family conflict. Casual employment is not linked to a reduction in work—family conflict for either mothers or fathers once we control for working hours. Even though mothers are the primary carer in most families, mothers do not report greater work—family conflict than fathers. We attribute this finding to gender differences in the time spent in employment.