ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part aims to outline broad trends occurring within and around work and organisations and develops a framework to explain continuity and change at work, focuses on the institutions, policies and norms that govern employment relations. It highlights that while employers drive flexibilities around non-standard arrangements, some initiatives can enable workers to achieve greater balance in their work and non-work commitments. The part identifies three interconnected aspects of the inequalities including working hours, pay and superannuation. It provides into four specific phases in women’s working lives including: education and early career; work and motherhood, work and child caring, and mature age work and care. The part analyses an impending crisis that will affect all types of workers, organisations and economies. It also provides an important roadmap which identifies the broad changes taking place within and around work.
