Global people platform for shift work, Deputy has released its first Hourly Work Index report, highlighting shift work trends across hospitality, retail, healthcare and services industries in Australia.
As part of its June findings, Deputy has found workers across all four major shift work sectors worked fewer shifts for a shorter period each time, indicating a rising trend of underemployment across Australian shift work industries. The decrease in hours worked is also impacting employee turnover rates, with more workers leaving all four major shift work industries than joining.
Despite wages growing in June, generational differences in earnings are stark, with Generation Zs earning significantly less than Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials.
Deputy CEO, Silvija Martincevic said, “Deputy’s June Jobs Report for Australia highlights critical condition of the local hospitality sector finds itself in. The average number of shifts worked decreased by 6.22% and average hours worked dropped by 5.35% month on month.
“Notably, Generation Z workers in hospitality are facing significant cost of living challenges, with an average hourly pay of $26.94, significantly lower than their Baby Boomer counterparts, who by contrast earned $32.44 per hour. It’s a generational pay gap that highlights the unprecedented economic pressure currently impacting younger workers.
“While average pay per shift and hour increased across almost all major shift work sectors, our data indicates that shift workers are actually earning less than they did in May due to a significant decrease in the average number of shifts and hours worked.
“Despite this downward trend in hours worked, we know shift workers are seeking more consistent hours. Previous data from Deputy’s Big Shift Report has highlighted the growing trend of poly-employment — where shift workers are taking on multiple jobs across the same or different industries to make ends meet.”