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A Study of Atypical Employment in the Service Sector in Ireland

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A Study of Atypical Employment in the Service Sector in Ireland A Study of Atypical Employment in the Service Sector in Ireland Submitted by Sharon Mann McGreevy B .S c.(M gt) in fulfilm ent of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies The Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. S upervisor o f S tudy Josephine Browne, B.Sc., B.Comm., B.L., Ph.D. Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin One, May 1995 I certify that this thesis which I now submit for examination for the award of Masters of Business Studies, is entirely my own work and has not been taken from the work of others save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within the text of my work. This thesis was prepared according to the regulations for graduate studies by research of the Dublin Institute of Technology and has not been submitted in whole or in part for an award in any other Institute or university. The Institute has permission to keep, to lend or to copy this thesis in whole or in part, on condition that any such use of the material of the thesis be duly acknowledged. Signature Date 'Ruth, and Çerry, Acknowledgements 1. Firstly, I must thank my supervisor Dr. Josephine Browne whose energetic and boundless enthusiasm, constant and unending support aided me in the preparation of every aspect of the project. 2. Secondly, I would like to extend my thanks to all those in the D.I.T. in Cathal Brugha Street, particularly, Mr. Frank McMahon, Mr. Pat Henry and Mr. Michael Mulvey, whose support and interest in the research allowed me tremendous scope during its preparation. 3. Thirdly, I would like to thank Jim Larragy whose tremendous wide ranging knowledge of statistical analysis techniques taught me how to use and interpret S.P.S.S. 4. Fourthly, I would like to thank Ruth, my mother whose overwhelming enthusiasm and hard work made an enormous contribution immediately preceding submission. 5. Fifthly, I would like to thank my long suffering husband who has supported and encouraged my progression throughout the duration of the research. 6. Finally, I would like to thank God it is all over. Table of Contents Abstract...........................................................................................................................1 List of Abbreviations...................................................................................................... 3 List of Tables..................................................................................................................4 List of Appendices......................................................................................................... 6 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter One The issues and debates surrounding atypical employment...............................9 1. Introduction................................................................................................................9 1.1 Changes in the world of work.................................................................................9 1.2 Towards a definition of atypical employment....................................................... 11 1.2.1 Part time employment.........................................................................................13 1.2.2 Temporary employment.......................................................................................14 1.3 Rationales - Traditional or New ? ...........................................................................16 1.4 Who are these atypical employees ? ....................................................................20 1.5 The role of the state...............................................................................................20 1.6 European Union Directives....................................................................................22 1.6.1 Limitations of proposed Directives................................................................... ..23 1.7 Employment trends in hotels, tourism and the hospital sector........................... 24 1.8 The flexibility debate -The issues......................................................................... 26 1.8.1 Flexibility and Size of the Organisation............................................................ 31 1.8.2 Training Implications...........................................................................................32 1.8.3 The humanisation of work...................................................................................33 1.8.4 Voluntary Initiatives to Improve the position of Atypical Employees..................................................................................................................... 35 1.9 The Trade Union response.................................................................................... 36 1.10 Conclusions............................................................................................................46 Chapter Two Research Methodology..............................................................................................47 2. Introduction................................................................................................................ 47 2.1 Secondary Research...............................................................................................47 2.2 Research Instrument...............................................................................................47 2.3 Questionnaire Design..............................................................................................48 2.4 Pilot Survey..............................................................................................................48 2.5 Population................................................................................................................49 2.6 Sample size..............................................................................................................50 2.7 Administration of Primary Research...................................................................... 50 2.8 Analysis of data...................................................................................................... 50 2.9 Conclusion...............................................................................................................52 Chapter Three Atypical Employees- Who are they? ....................................................................... 53 3. Introduction................................................................................................................53 3.1 Response Rate...................................................................................................... 53 3.2 Composition of Respondents................................................................................. 53 3.3 Manpower Utilisation in the Irish services sector.................................................. 56 3.3.1 Manpower Utilisation and Organisation size..................................................... 57 3.3.2 Manpower utilisation and organisation type in the Irish services sector..............................................................................................................................59 3.4 Flexibility and Gender.............................................................................................60 3.4.1 Female Participation and Status....................................................................... 61 3.4.2 Participation of married Females and Status......................................................62 3.5 Age and employees status................................................................................... 66 3.6 Unionisation.............................................................................................................67 3.7 Conclusion...............................................................................................................68 Chapter Four Personnel Policies, Terms and Conditions of Atypical Em ployees.................................................................................................................... 70 4. Introduction................................................................................................................70 4.1 Recruitment Problems.............................................................................................71 4.2 Type of Organisation and problems in recruiting suitably skilled staff................................................................................................................................. 74 4.3 Atypical Employees and success in transfer to full time......................................76 4.3.1 Organisation type and success in transfer to full time employment.................................................................................................................... 77 4.4 Future recruitment plans.........................................................................................80 4.5 Formal induction courses.......................................................................................82 4.6 Formal Training Courses.........................................................................................85 4.7 Benefits available to employees and occupational status...................................88 4.7.1 Benefits available to periphery employees in unionised and non unionised organisations................................................................................................91 4.8
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