Skip to content

Structure of Young Employment: Harsh Scenario Uncovered

Workers under the age of 35 in Australia, the UK, and Latin America express growing levels of exasperation regarding their job conditions, according to findings from a survey involving 1,700 participants.

Study: Tough Life for Young Employees in the Workforce
Study: Tough Life for Young Employees in the Workforce

Structure of Young Employment: Harsh Scenario Uncovered

Here's a fresh take on the article:

A 1,700-strong survey spanning Australia, the UK, and Latin America in 2019, led by the Young Workers' Lab at UNI Global Union with regional partners, shed light on the main frustration points among young workers: inadequate wages, skyrocketing expenses, staff shortages, and the repercussions of digitalization, all contributing to a rise in poor mental health.*

The survey, featuring 940 votes gathered from 15,000 responses, asked the straightforward question:

What are the biggest hurdles you're currently encountering at work?

Below is a breakdown of the common obstacles the young workers from the three regions had identified.

Inadequate Wages

Low pay emerged as a recurring concern for employees across all regions.

UK workers felt like they were falling behind amidst escalating living and housing costs

The UK workforce expressed their discontent with wages not keeping pace with inflation, especially affecting young workers. Top-ranked answers focused on increased living and housing costs and the wish for employers to view their staff as dynamic and adaptable. One such response declared, 'Pay should reflect individuals' contributions to an organizations, as these skills and abilities are not static.' Solutions proposed included pay progression and financial recognition for personal growth within a role. One respondent penned, 'In-grade pay increases would reward my growing expertise.'

In Latin America, frustration escalated over low pay and exorbitant rents. One popular answer read, 'I work endless hours and still struggle to make ends meet because the pay is so low!' The feeling of underappreciation and exploitation was palpable. Worries were also prevalent around recent factory closures and companies struggling financially. The ineffective enforcement of labor laws was another criticism.

In Australia, wages for public holidays and Sundays were a recurring complaint. One respondent lamented, 'Bruh I sacrifice a whole Sunday for barely any compensation!' Workers also campaigned for the recognition of a living wage. They expressed anxiety about rising costs while attending college and earning minimum wages. One worker described the situation as, 'Everything is becoming more expensive, and as I graduate and attend uni, I will be left with little savings due to earning minimum wage.'

Stress, Discrimination, and Mental Health

In Latin America, workers denounced sexual harassment, a rampant issue in a male-dominated society filled with gender stereotypes. 'Victims should no longer be vilified,' read one upvoted answer. Workers reported a host of stresses on their mental health. Workers felt like they were being treated like machines, with little time for breaks and being expected to dedicate more time at work than with their families. Management was often reluctant to accommodate personal needs, like doctor's appointments.

Latin American workers expressed resistance to being treated like machines.

In Australia, workers faced difficulty embracing their jobs when the sentiment wasn't reciprocated. 'The company doesn't care about its employees yet demands higher standards from us, so why should the employees care about the work?' read the top response. Abuses of power fostered harmful relationships between workers and management. Employees found it challenging to challenge these abuses. Workers felt pressured to work when sick. One worker put it, 'Who wants to be around people who don't appreciate what you do?'

Australian workers cited poor mental health due to leadership misconduct.

Staff shortages was a popular concern shared by workers in the UK. 'Workload is stressful and chaotic, and understaffing is a significant issue that causes workload stress, which spills over into personal time.' Trade union affiliation was another topic of discussion. Workers reported facing difficulties in accessing information, resources, and support during their organizing efforts.

Limited Skills or Training

In Latin America, workers expressed concern over the impact of digitalization on their jobs and the challenges it presented. 'These are times of massive technological advancements, and companies need to invest more in employee training to improve outcomes.' Others felt disheartened by the constant need to update their skills. 'The challenge is to stay current with the technology the company develops, as doing so requires continuous effort.'

The constant need to update skills was a recurring theme in Latin America.

In Australia, workers expressed frustration over limited direction and guidance, resulting in mistakes. 'Being taught everything and keeping up is important to prevent mistakes and work with more confidence' wrote one respondent.

One Australian worker expressed the importance of acquiring a comprehensive understanding of their responsibilities.

In the UK, workers expressed frustration with generational changes, insufficient knowledge sharing, and reduced learning opportunities. 'Seasoned workers are leaving, and inexperienced staff remain. Our opportunities to learn and grow are fewer due to budget constraints.' The scarcity of expertise available for consultation and guidance was also a concern, coupled with inadequate IT infrastructure.

A Fresh Perspective

This pan-regional survey provided a glimpse into the core issues young workers face worldwide: discounted investment in their growth, ballooning expenses, and deteriorating mental health. These factors have substantial implications for the future of these workers.

This survey relied on ThoughtExchange, a paid tool. Interested trade unions affiliates are encouraged to reach out to UNI Global Union to explore the potential of this tool. For more on digital tools for trade unions, visit Connective Action: Digital Tools for Trade Unions. For information on preliminary tests, click here.

Enrichment Data:Overview:The 2019 survey conducted by the Young Workers' Lab at UNI Global Union across Australia, the UK, and Latin America revealed common struggles faced by young workers, including precarious employment, low wages, limited access to benefits, scarce training opportunities, and power imbalances. The study suggested potential solutions, such as strengthening labor rights, ensuring decent work standards, enhancing access to training, regulating new work formats, and promoting youth participation in decision-making. These measures aim to reduce job insecurity, improve economic outcomes, and empower young workers to shape their own destinies within the labor markets of Australia, the UK, and Latin America.

  1. The technology of ThoughtExchange was utilized in the 2019 survey, providers of which are invited to collaborate with UNI Global Union.
  2. The insights gained from this international survey underscored the importance of investing in the growth of young workers.
  3. Personal growth was recognized as essential by many respondents, asking for in-grade pay increases to acknowledge their growing expertise.
  4. In the realm of financial recognition, workers advocated for pay progression to encourage continuous development within their roles.
  5. The digitalization of industries in Latin America led to concerns about the impact on jobs and the necessity for increased employee training.
  6. The issue of gender stereotypes in Latin American workplaces was highlighted by the prevalence of sexual harassment and resistance to being treated like machines.
  7. In the UK, workers pointed out the rising living and housing costs as a significant challenge to maintaining a satisfactory work-life balance.
  8. Workplace discrimination and poor treatment by management contributed to poor mental health for Australian workers.
  9. Stress related to staff shortages and managing excessive workloads were recurring concerns for UK workers.
  10. Constrained budgets impacted the availability of learning opportunities for UK workers, affecting their ability to adapt to generational changes.
  11. Limited skills and training were concerns for workers in Latin America, with the rapid pace of technological advances requiring continuous effort to stay current.
  12. Inadequate direction and guidance were challenges faced by Australian workers, preventing them from making mistakes and working with confidence.
  13. The impact of digitalization on jobs in Latin America necessitated more investment from companies to improve employee training and outcomes.
  14. Workers in the UK highlighted the challenges created by the constant need to update their skills to stay current with evolving technology.
  15. The survey identified power imbalances as a common issue in Australian workplaces, leading to workplace tension and a lack of employee engagement.
  16. Access to information, resources, and support during organizing efforts was a difficulty faced by UK workers seeking to advocate for their rights as employees.
  17. Workers in Latin America expressed frustration with factory closures, company financial struggles, and the ineffective enforcement of labor laws.
  18. The recognition of a living wage and fair compensation for public holidays and Sundays were desires expressed by Australian workers.
  19. Mental health issues stemming from unhealthy relationships between workers and management were more prevalent in Australian workplaces.
  20. The survey results demonstrated a correlation between inadequate wages, skyrocketing expenses, staff shortages, and the repercussions of digitalization with the rise in poor mental health for young workers.
  21. Trade union representation and support were essential resources for workers navigating organizational challenges and advocating for their rights.
  22. The results of the survey emphasized the need for stronger labor rights, decent work standards, and employee empowerment to address the struggles faced by young workers.
  23. The study suggested the promotion of youth participation in decision-making to improve economic outcomes and empower young workers in the labor markets.
  24. The survey results underscored the importance of ensuring adequate wages to maintain a satisfactory work-life balance, rather than falling behind escalating costs.
  25. The lack of appreciation and the feeling of underappreciation were prevalent worries for young workers in all regions, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.
  26. Poor mental health and stress-related issues were frequently cited by workers affected by power imbalances and invasive management practices.
  27. Addressing power imbalances and promoting a culture of mutual respect and collaboration were crucial steps toward creating healthier workplaces and better relationships between employees and management.
  28. The survey emphasized the importance of decent work standards in reducing job insecurity, empowering workers, and positively impacting overall well-being.
  29. Providing opportunities for continuous learning and development were key components of building a health-and-wellness focused workplace culture.
  30. The survey findings suggested that investing in the growth of young workers was essential not only for individual success but also for the overall prosperity and stability of industries and economies.

Read also:

    Latest