One of the most significant issues that we are facing today is 'time', more specifically, the lack of it because of the busyness of our lives. This week on Open House, Leigh Hatcher talked to Professor Barbara Pocock about how the lack of time is affecting the lives of people today. Barbara is also the author of a book called 'Time Bomb'.
Professor Barbara Pocock is Director of the Centre for Work + Life at the University of South Australia. Barbara has been researching work, employment and industrial relations since 1981. She joined the University of South Australia in January 2006, after fourteen years at the University of Adelaide. Barbara has worked in many jobs - in shearing sheds, advising politicians, the public service, on farms, in unions, teaching and researching in universities, for governments and as a mother. Barbara was initially trained as an economist, completed her doctorate in gender studies, and has taught and researched labour studies and social science since the mid-1980s. Her research has included work, industrial relations, trade unionism, pay and pay equity, vocational education, inequality in the labour market and the award of a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship to study the intersections between work, family and community for 5 years, 2003-2007. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia, and is a mother of two.
According to Barbara Pocock, we have become like the frog in boiling water. Five years ago Barbara and a group of her colleagues set out to ask Australians about their working lives. Surprisingly the issue of time stood out. One of the main points that people mentioned was the hours of work involved. After meeting and talking to many Australians Barbara was able to find out that the nature of work is also involved. Another issue that popped up was the issue of holidays and time off that workers are receiving. Barbara also says that flexibility at work is an important factor. She tells Leigh that the workers face a negative impact on their lives whether they have children or not.
In Barbara's book - Time Bomb, she talks about how the lack of time can affect the daily lives of people, especially working mums. Barbara talks about the work-time pressures that mums in particular face. The busyness is not confined to adults, but is spread out into the lives of young children and teenagers. According to Barbara in her book, having a parent around will help teenagers in this matter. Also the social media plays a major role in the issue of time.
Listen to Leigh Hatcher talk to Professor Barbara Pocock about the issue of the lack of time because of the busyness in our lives and how to face this issue.