Sociology: work & labour
Organisations, careers and caring
With the increase in mothers' employment both the government and many employers are promoting flexible working policies to improve work-life 'balance'. This report considers the effects of these changes on the lives of both women and men. It examines three employment sectors in detail - banking, grocery retail and local authorities.
New policies for older workers
Against a background of population ageing, policy makers in the majority of industrialised countries are developing policies aimed at extending working life and promoting the benefits of employing older workers. This report reviews developments in several countries and offers recommendations for public policy.
Money, choice and control
The financial circumstances of early retirement
This report looks at the role of finances in decisions about early moves out of work. Drawing on in-depth interviews with people who make an early retirement, it makes a distinctive contribution to understanding their experiences, looking at the importance of money alongside other influences, including health and domestic circumstances.
Employment transitions of older workers
The role of flexible employment in maintaining labour market participation and promoting job quality
This report explores the possibilities of more flexible forms of work that bridge the gap between a steady career job and retirement. It examines such jobs in the wider context of the types of transition that are being made by people leaving work early.
Happy retirement?
The impact of employers' policies and practice on the process of retirement
Any attempt by governments to stem the tide of early retirement will need to focus as much on employers' management of human resources as on the impacts of social policy. This report focuses on this previously neglected area: employers' policies and practice as a dynamic force in retirement decisions.
People in low-paid informal work
'Need not greed'
This study examines the relationship between poverty and informal work. Exploring the experiences of people in low-paid informal work, it contends that unless government seeks to include the informal economy in its strategies, it will never be able to reach its employment or anti-poverty targets.
Free pdf version available at www.jrf.org.uk
Getting In and Getting On in the Youth Labour Market
Governing Young People’s Employability in Regional Context
Based on up to date qualitative and ethnographic research, and using a Foucauldian theoretical approach, this book examines youth education-to-work transitions in the UK and demonstrates how different employability schemes work in practice for young people from varying social and regional backgrounds.
Crossroads after 50
Improving choices in work and retirement
This report draws together the findings from 12 individual Joseph Rowntree Foundation research projects, published in the Transitions after 50 series.
The Immigrant War
A Global Movement Against Discrimination and Exploitation
In this original, accessible book, Vittorio Longhi uses a global perspective to highlight the 'immigrant war and struggle for human rights, citizenship and equality', despite a policy vacuum towards immigration among governments of developed states.
Uncomfortably Off
Why Addressing Inequality Matters, Even for High Earners
Uncomfortably Off reveals that those generally considered to be the most affluent feel anxious about the future and struggle to keep up, or even to stay put., but reducing income inequality will benefit everyone, even those quite near the top.
What’s Wrong with Work?
What’s wrong with work shows that how workers are treated has wide implications beyond the lives of workers themselves.
Recognising gender, race, class and global differences, the book considers the ways formal work is often dependent on informal work and concludes by considering what might make work better.
Highly Discriminating
Why the City Isn’t Fair and Diversity Doesn’t Work
Written by a leading expert, this book examines equality issues in the City of London, arguing that social hiring practices in the City favour affluent applicants, and calls for a policy shift at the organisational and governmental levels.