This publication provides an in-depth analysis of industrial relations and labour market policies in Australia, with particular attention to recent insights from three years of operating experience with a contestable employment services market.

This book argues that active labour market policies are necessary to improve the position of the unemployed but have so far performed relatively poorly. The contributing authors seek ways to improve active labour market policy and consider three means of doing so: improving the quality by better targeting and by better-designed measures, more efficient implementation and delivery, and better performance by benchmarking the various implementation agencies involved.

This first OECD review of the reconciliation of work and family life looks at the challenges parents of young children confront when trying to square their work and care commitments, and the implications for social and labour market trends.

Modern governments have undergone significant change over the past 30 years. Such change has impacted on the way governments structure their organisations, deliver services and relate to their citizenry. But how has public policy formulation changed and affected the design and delivery of government programs and services in Australia? Policy in ...

‘Human Resource Policy’ describes how policies anchor HR practice and connect HR to organisational strategy. It reaffirms the importance of policy and the need for practitioners to possess skills in the research, development, writing and implementation of HR policies. The book also examines 16 important policy areas and discusses the various policy options that might apply, depending on the organisation’s nature, the legal framework that applies to it and its strategic needs.

The importance of non-standard employment forms has increased over the last decades. Janine Leschke addresses two important questions in this regard. First, do workers with part-time and temporary contracts face greater risks of becoming unemployed than those with regular contracts? Secondly, how far are they disadvantaged in terms of access to and level of unemployment benefits? The author compares the design of unemployment benefit systems in Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. After discussing the development and role of non-standard employment in these countries, she examines the relevant features of unemployment insurance systems such as hours and earning thresholds and minimum contribution requirements. Her empirical analysis shows that non-standard workers are more likely to become unemployed or inactive and are disadvantaged in their entitlements to unemployment benefits.

This report on the recent Australian experience with activation policies provides an overview and assessment of labour market policies in Australia including the main institutions, benefit system, training programmes, employment incentives, and disability employment assistance.