Employees want to work more hours

Research conducted by Reed in Partnership into the scale of “underemployment” shows that one in 10 employees want to work more hours.

The research, based on official employment figures, reveals that the number of workers who want to work more hours rises to one in five among part-time employees. It also found that the gap between unemployment and underemployment is at its largest since 2000.

Reed in Partnership’s report says now is the time for the Government to focus on supporting those in employment as well as those without jobs. Martin Fallon, Managing Director of Reed in Partnership, which provides employment support, comments: “While the reduction in unemployment is good news, it can mask the fact that millions of people across the UK would like to work more hours.”

The organisation is calling for the underemployment rate to be published alongside unemployment figures, as well as better career guidance in schools and support for women returning to work after having children.

The report also shows women are more likely than men to seek additional working hours (10.7% versus 8.4%), possibly due to the fact that women face more underemployment in their 30s and 40s as a result of maternity leave. Meanwhile, 18-year-olds are four times more likely to want to work more hours than those aged 60.

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