A recent review of 25 international studies of the OHS effects of subcontracting and home-based work found poorer health and safety outcomes in 92 per cent of the studies analysed.45
In 1995, there were approximately 343,300 persons who were employed only or mainly at home, representing approximately 4 per cent of all employees.46
By 2005, the number of persons employed only or mainly at home had increased to 724,500 or 8 per cent of people at work.47
Employment patterns of men and women have changed over recent decades. Significantly, the proportion of women who were employed has increased over the period. Changing social attitudes and smaller families have contributed to these changes in women's employment.48
The proportion of women aged 15 years and over who are employed has steadily increased over the last 30 years from 40 per cent in 197949 to 58 per cent in September 2008.50Over the same period, the proportion of men who were employed decreased from 74 per cent51 in 1979 to 72 per cent in September 2008.52
As a result of the changes to the proportion of men and women who were employed, women now represent a higher proportion of employed people (45 per cent in September 200853 compared with 36 per cent in 197954). In 2008, 4.8 million women and 5.9 million men were employed.55
Much of the increase in women's labour force participation has been associated with part-time work. In 2008, 45 per cent of employed women were working part-time56, compared with 14 per cent of women in 1979.57
