The next ten years will see a dramatic rise in the number of men working part-time, according to a new report from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).
The report projects that the number of part-time male workers is set to increase by 20% by 2024 - nearly three times more than the projected growth in part-time female workers (7%).
This growth is particularly significant for men in professional or management roles, where an increase of 25% is projected, marking a substantial change in the working patterns of men in highly paid, highly skilled roles.
However, while men are increasingly prioritising family life, women are apparently set to become more career focused. A rise of 7% in the number of women working full-time is likely, compared to just 3% for men.
“While part-time work is most common in low paid professions and is largely dominated by women, this report shows the first signs of that trend changing,” commented Lesley Giles, deputy director at UKCES.
“The increase in men working flexible hours has been catalysed by the right to shared parental leave, but seems to be gaining traction,” she added. “Coupled with other changes, like the growth in jobs in sectors traditionally dominated by women, this could represent a real change in the way people work and the way we understand gender roles in the labour market.”
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