The casualisation of the workforce may offer flexibility, but for some young people the job instability and irregular income can cause uncertainty and anxiety about their future.
Year 12 student Sienna Karunarathne has worked in the same entry-level position for the last four years on a casual basis and fears that because she was not born into a wealthy family, she will not be able to support herself once she starts university.
“When I’m at school I have no time to do work, and then I go to work and I have no time for other things,” Miss Karunarathne said.
“I’ll apply for other jobs, and they are like, ‘we need adults to work’, and I’m like ‘I’m an adult’, but then they don’t want me to go to school.
“I feel like it’s a lose-lose situation where I have to withhold myself from getting money until I finish school, but I can’t afford doing that because I need to save up for my future.”
There are legislative challenges when it comes to the widespread casualisation across industries.
The recent Right to Disconnect legislation, set to be enforced for small businesses from August next year, can cause headaches for those with irregular working hours.
Operations Manager at Microsolve, Ben Horsfield recognises the difficulties that young people face when applying for positions.
“As an employer I understand that a candidate looking to join our organisation is not stating that they intend to work with us forever,” Mr Horsfield said.
“We may simply be a stepping-stone in their career, which is why it is imperative that both the employer and employee treat their relationship with mutual respect as they are both benefiting from each other’s time.”
Whilst it is recognised that casual positions can offer a stepping-stone to a more permanent or seemingly ‘adult’ job, there is a fear amongst young people that their experiences may not be enough for prospective employers.
Certain casual positions can also run on short-term contracts, like the seasonal Christmas casual roles in industries like retail.
Whilst these experiences all add up in terms of building contacts and a resume, Mr Horsfield notes that sometimes those changes can cause issues in the long run.
“From an organisational perspective it can take several months to recoup the investment of a new employee when considering time and cost of recruitment, onboarding, training, and uniforms,” he said.
“It could negatively impact a candidate’s chance of success when applying for a position.”
There are online resources to help young people build their resume, which may help them find a position in the workforce.
Video: They say having a work/life balance is crucial in maintaining a happy and healthy life. However, in a cost-of-living crisis where consistent work can be hard to come by, some young people are finding it difficult to earn money and keep up with their studies.
Year 12 students Annabelle Dyson and Sienna Karunarathne speak with UOWTV’s Paige Jenkins about the issue.
