This paper reviews the main developments in work and employment in recent times, and discusses the driving forces behind them. Because of the broad range of issues to be covered, the paper is divided into a number of sections. The first three deal with the main influences on work and employment stemming from:
The changing economy: Technology and globalisation are changing what we produce and the way we produce it.
The changing workplace: New ways of organising work, and changes in employment relationships are changing the ways in which work is done.
The changing workforce: The ageing of the population, international migration, and growing ethnic diversity are influencing the make-up of New Zealand’s workforce.
Two further themes are singled out for discussion because of their relevance to people in the world of work. These are:
Work-life balance: Reconciling commitments to work and family, and finding time for personal interests promises to be one of the most challenging issues for tomorrow’s workers.
Skills, Education and Training: The possession of the right skills has becoming increasingly important to successful participation in the labour market.
Where relevant, New Zealand literature on the subjects is listed.