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| Underemployment affects 10.5% of UK workforce | Underemployment affects 10.5% of UK workforce |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| One in 10 of all workers in the UK are now officially underemployed, according to a study from the Office For National Statistics (ONS). | One in 10 of all workers in the UK are now officially underemployed, according to a study from the Office For National Statistics (ONS). |
| It says 3,050,000 workers want to work more hours each week, out of a total workforce of 29.41 million. | It says 3,050,000 workers want to work more hours each week, out of a total workforce of 29.41 million. |
| The number of workers in this position has shot up by 980,000 in the four years since the start of the economic recession in 2008. | The number of workers in this position has shot up by 980,000 in the four years since the start of the economic recession in 2008. |
| Most of the underemployment is concentrated among part-time workers. | Most of the underemployment is concentrated among part-time workers. |
| The ONS said 1.9 million of the underemployed were in part-time jobs and this meant, in turn, that 24% of all part-timers wanted more work. | The ONS said 1.9 million of the underemployed were in part-time jobs and this meant, in turn, that 24% of all part-timers wanted more work. |
| By contrast, only 5.5% of full-time staff said they wanted to work more hours. | By contrast, only 5.5% of full-time staff said they wanted to work more hours. |
| The ONS said the main reason for the growth of underemployment has been the economic downturn of the past few years. | The ONS said the main reason for the growth of underemployment has been the economic downturn of the past few years. |
| "During this period many workers moved from full-time to part-time roles and many of those returning to work after a period of unemployment could only find part-time jobs," the statistical office said. | "During this period many workers moved from full-time to part-time roles and many of those returning to work after a period of unemployment could only find part-time jobs," the statistical office said. |
| "Of the extra one million underemployed workers in 2012 compared with 2008, three-quarters were in part-time posts." | "Of the extra one million underemployed workers in 2012 compared with 2008, three-quarters were in part-time posts." |
| 'Its really tough' | |
| The growth of underemployment has gone alongside a big fall in the real value of earnings, the ONS said, which have been outstripped by inflation in recent years. | |
| Jane Tomlinson, a part-time worker from Oxford, told the BBC what it had been like to be underemployed for the past year. | |
| "I work only 15 hours a week paid work for a charity as communications manager," she said. | "I work only 15 hours a week paid work for a charity as communications manager," she said. |
| "I don't actually want a full-time job, but I need more than 15 hours a week, so I pick up a bit of copywriting work here and there as I can find it. | "I don't actually want a full-time job, but I need more than 15 hours a week, so I pick up a bit of copywriting work here and there as I can find it. |
| "But month to month it's really tough as I make only just enough to pay the bills. Thank goodness my husband has a job," she added. | "But month to month it's really tough as I make only just enough to pay the bills. Thank goodness my husband has a job," she added. |
| Self-employed | |
| The ONS explained that most of the rise in underemployment took place between 2008 and 2009, when the recession first gripped the UK economy. | |
| Since then it has still been rising, though more slowly then before. | |
| According to the ONS analysis, the problem is worst among the lowest paid, young workers and those in low skilled jobs, such as labourers, cleaners and catering staff. | |
| The shortage of work has also led to a big rise in the level of underemployment reported by the self-employed. | |
| They are now even more likely to report being underemployed than those who work for others. | |
| However the precise reasons for individuals being underemployed can vary. | |
| The ONS said these reasons could include employers only being able to offer a few hours work each week; workers, such as bar staff, being in jobs where they are only required for a few hours a day; personal circumstances changing so that someone now wants to work more hours then before; and people settling for a part-time job as second-best when they would much rather have a full-time one. | |
| Are you working part-time when you would prefer to be working full-time? You can share your thoughts and experiences by filling in the form below. | Are you working part-time when you would prefer to be working full-time? You can share your thoughts and experiences by filling in the form below. |