Women over 50 ‘seek fewer hours’
More than two in five women over 50 want to work fewer hours, according to a new report.
A study by the TUC found that while the recession has been characterised by part-time workers wanting full-time jobs, too many hours is also a big issue, particularly for older women.
The fact that so many women are unable to work fewer hours in their current job showed widespread demand for more flexible work is not being met, said the union organisation.
Women over 50 were most likely to seek fewer hours in work as many have to look after grandchildren, parents or children of their own, said the report.
Many women have to move into low-paid part-time jobs, rather than working fewer or more flexible hours with their current employer, said the TUC.
General secretary Frances O’Grady said: “While under-employment is a big issue for many workers today, there are millions of people that actually want fewer hours at work.
“The need to work fewer hours is particularly acute for the millions of women over 50 who have to balance work with multiple caring responsibilities.
“Unfortunately too many employers don’t recognise any caring roles beyond motherhood, forcing many older women to trade down jobs in order to look after grandchildren, older kids or their own parents.
“As the population ages and people are expected to work for longer, the caring demands on women over 50 in work are only going to increase. Helping the two in five women over 50 who want fewer hours in their job is vital to meeting this demand.”
The report was based on a study of official employment statistics.
Caption: Frances O’Grady says the need to work fewer hours is particularly acute for millions of women who balance work with multiple caring responsibilities
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The Carers Allowance is on course to be lost for up to 40 per cent of current claimants, as will paid only to those eligible for the new coming Universal Credit.
It was mooted by the Tories that disability benefit and Attendance Allowance would be taxed at source, and Bedroom Tax would rise and might effect pensioners.
The state pension was never going to be enough to live on.
This is why you can get your state pension payout and remain in work.
But the flat rate state pension has given an expectation of all new pensioners on and from 6 April next year, 2016, getting the flat rate of £155 per week.
When in fact most will get as low as £8.39 per week after 45 years work (lowest forecast seen so far gained by one man).
For the first time the SERPs opt out is being merged with the National Insurance record to wipe each other out.
Added to the fact that as they wipe each other in NI history, there is a nil pay out for 10 years or less NI record.
Now you get some state pension from 1 year NI record.
The housewife pension is also gone from next year for new pensioners. This is just the ongoing woe from the scandal of the married woman's stamp that ended up giving no state pension.
Needed by me is help to aid others in sharing my petition widely in your social media of Facebook and Twitter, so people do not rely on the state pension, and cash in their pension pot or defer their state pension if they can get it this year.
To be honest I am exhausted. I tried a few months ago to cut my hours to a 4 day week but have ended up trying to fit 5 days work into 4 hours - that wasn't quite the plan!
Now I have taken a leap of faith and have decided for the remainder of my working life to follow my own dreams and passion and pursue my love of complementary therapies ( which I have been practicing part time in the evenings for over 8 years). I don't think I will earn the money I am earning now but I do believe I will be much happier, less stressed and my quality of life will improve.
I have also recently set up my own business with a fantastically ethical Multi Level Marketing company working flexible hours when and how I chose and that offers a very real opportunity to have a great pension,. I can take time out to help look after our grandchildren and still have a great business
Many of us have been brought up to believe that the "right" way to be successful is to go to school, go to University or college, study hard and then we get a job, There are other ways to succeed in life, that is just one way. We need to think outside the box and explore other opportunities - they are out there!
It's never too late to start something new.
Also, with giving up work, we are perhaps not as well off as we were and I feel that in some cases a little cash would not go amiss! Some of our offspring are earning more than we could ever have dreamed of, so how about a bit of sharing. I am not talking about those who have to work to make both ends meet, but many work to keep up a certain standard of living.
Works well for lots of ppl who have to care for others and try balancing a job with it all.
Anybody can learn computer skills today .... free courses provided in 'Adult Training' facilities.