What do low-paid workers think would improve their working lives?

a report by Cordelia Hay of Britain Thinks for JRF (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)

This study explores the experiences and perceptions of low-paid, low-income workers in the retail, hospitality and care sectors.

How do these workers feel about work, and what do they think would most improve their working lives?

The report explores:

• the realities of low-paid work;
• the challenges experienced by workers in the three sectors;
• ideas for improving work for low-paid workers that go beyond pay rises; and
• conclusions for employers of low-paid workers.

A related report, based on a survey of 5,000 low-paid workers in low-income households, is available on the Survation website.

Summary (PDF 4pp)

Full report (PDF 56pp)

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Low paid workers hit by poor pension provision and low contribution rates

via Ekklesia: a new way of thinking

Low-paid workers are far less likely to have a workplace pension, and those that do have far lower employer contribution rates, according to a new TUC report published today (31 October) that assesses the health of UK pension provision.

The TUC Pensions Scorecard report examines the membership, contribution rates and governance of workplace pensions across the UK, as well as the retirement incomes they generate, identifying trends and areas where improvement is most needed. It focuses on the defined contribution (DC) schemes into which most workers will automatically be enrolled over the next few years.

Continue reading

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The vulnerable worker in Britain and problems at work

an article by Anna Pollert (University of the West of England) and Andy Charlwood (University of York) published in Work, Employment & Society Volume 23 Number 2 (2009)

Abstract

This article investigates the experience of low-paid workers without union representation. It reports on the findings of a recent survey of 501 low-paid, non-unionised workers who experienced problems at work. The results demonstrate that problems at work are widespread and, despite a strong propensity to take action to try to resolve them, most workers failed to achieve satisfactory resolutions. In the light of these results, we argue that the current UK government definition of vulnerability is too narrow because our results suggest that a large proportion of low-paid, unrepresented workers are at risk of being denied their employment rights. Therefore we question the ability of the UK's current system of predominantly non-unionised employment relations to deliver employment rights effectively and fairly.

Hazel’s comment:
1. Protect vulnerable workers.
2. Ensure that the small-business community is supported through provision of appropriate workers.
Unfortunately I’m not sure that these two mantras of government are compatible. My own experience of employment work is that the smaller the establishment the less likely it is that workers will have any representation and the less likely it is that workers who are denied their rights will be able to claim those rights.

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