Women, part-time work and the 'Women and Employment Survey'

The trend towards the increased employment of women on a part-time basis, particularly married women, has been well-documented. However, there are few studies that have sought to explain and analyse the reasons behind why so many women prefer to work part-time, ie to investigate the determinants of the supply of part-time female labour. Using the Women and Employment Survey this thesis takes the opportunity provided by the relative wealth of information contained in this Survey to investigate the determinants of the supply of part-time female labour.The key determinants of the supply of part-time labour as compared to full-time labour are highlighted and quantified. The part-time vs full-time supply of labour decision is investigated using data relating to the interview date, but also, at a key point in the take-up of part-time work - the first return to paid employment after the birth of the first child - and compared and contrasted to the part-time vs full-time labour supply decision made over the entire length of women's working lives. The effect of working part-time, in terms of occupational attainment, is also assessed; and viewed as a direct consequence of working part-time.Recourse to correct statistical procedures is made following current accepted methodology, and its criticisms of earlier research which allows the key determinants of the part-time vs-full-time supply of labour decision to be correctly quantified (ie statistically efficient parameter estimates are derived).The research presented here begins to fill the gap created by other studies' omission of the part-time vs fulltime labour supply decision and presents an insight into the supply of part=time female labour