Rosemary Crompton

Originally published in 1990, Gendered Jobs and Social Change is a systematic exploration of the changing structure of women’s paid work in Britain since the Second World War and an invaluable and accessible text for undergraduate students, and teachers and researchers, in the areas of employment, gender, and class theory. Four substantial case-study chapters, drawing upon original research material, give in-depth accounts of developments across the whole range of women’s employment, from the ‘post-feminist’ finance professional to unskilled workers in the hotel and catering industry. This empirical work is set within a context of discussion relating to current theoretical debates of the time concerning gender, occupational segregation, and class and stratification theory and research; it is then complemented by a review of the structure of women’s employment in other western countries. Besides making an original contribution to research and theory, it also provides an invaluable summary and critique of developments at the time within a series of important sociological debates.

Originally published in 1990, Gendered Jobs and Social Change is a systematic exploration of the changing structure of women’s paid work in Britain since the Second World War and an invaluable and accessible text for undergraduate students, and teachers and researchers, in the areas of employment, gender, and class theory. Four substantial case-study chapters, drawing upon original research material, give in-depth accounts of developments across the whole range of women’s employment, from the ‘post-feminist’ finance professional to unskilled workers in the hotel and catering industry. This empirical work is set within a context of discussion relating to current theoretical debates of the time concerning gender, occupational segregation, and class and stratification theory and research; it is then complemented by a review of the structure of women’s employment in other western countries. Besides making an original contribution to research and theory, it also provides an invaluable summary and critique of developments at the time within a series of important sociological debates.

Inequality in its many forms is becoming an ever greater problem in modern society. The revised edition of this popular book explains why it is so important to understand class and stratification, and how the tools used to analyse these divisions can help us to understand and confront problems of inequality. This third edition of Class and Stratification has been extensively revised, expanded and updated, incorporating discussions of contemporary economic and social change. It includes discussions of political and economic neoliberalism and its impacts as well as developments in social theory, such as the emphasis on 'individualization' and the 'cultural turn'. New to this edition is a chapter focusing on 'cultural' approaches to class analysis, which together with established approaches are used to explore new developments in social mobility, educational opportunity, and social polarization. The book will be essential reading for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students in the social sciences seeking to understand the changing face of social inequality. By highlighting the damage increasing inequality is causing to the social fabric, the book reveals the important part class continues to play in our lives today.

Inequality in its many forms is becoming an ever greater problem in modern society. The revised edition of this popular book explains why it is so important to understand class and stratification, and how the tools used to analyse these divisions can help us to understand and confront problems of inequality. This third edition of Class and Stratification has been extensively revised, expanded and updated, incorporating discussions of contemporary economic and social change. It includes discussions of political and economic neoliberalism and its impacts as well as developments in social theory, such as the emphasis on 'individualization' and the 'cultural turn'. New to this edition is a chapter focusing on 'cultural' approaches to class analysis, which together with established approaches are used to explore new developments in social mobility, educational opportunity, and social polarization. The book will be essential reading for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students in the social sciences seeking to understand the changing face of social inequality. By highlighting the damage increasing inequality is causing to the social fabric, the book reveals the important part class continues to play in our lives today.

Rates of employment amongst mothers of young children have risen rapidly in recent years. Attitudes to gender roles have changed, and both employers and governments have had to adjust to new realities. But some argue that recent changes in employment relations are making work more family 'unfriendly'. What are the real consequences of change? Rosemary Crompton explores the origins and background of this radical shift in the gendered division of labour. Topics covered include the changing attitudes to gender roles and family life, the gendered organisational context, and recent changes in employment relations and their impact on work-life articulation. A comparative analysis of Britain, France, Norway, Finland, the United States and Portugal provides an assessment of the varying impact of state policies, and the changing domestic division of labour. Crompton draws on original research and situates her findings within contemporary theoretical and empirical debates.

With the increase in mothers' employment both the government and many employers are promoting flexible working policies to improve work-life 'balance'. This report considers the effects of these changes on the lives of both women and men. It examines three employment sectors in detail - banking, grocery retail and local authorities. Drawing on the views of employees themselves, the report: · assesses the impact of employment breaks and part-time working on the careers of women and men; · evaluates the effectiveness of work-life balance policies; · explores organisational cultures and systems and how they affect the implementation of these policies; · discusses attitudes to career development and its effects on family life.

Employers are placing increasing significance on human resources policies designed to enable their employees to achieve an improved work-life balance. This report outlines how employees and managers in three sectors - banking, grocery retail and local authorities - have experienced the 'family-friendly employment' options available in their place of work. The report presents key findings in relation to: · how aware employees are of the family-friendly policies of their employers; · what links, if any, employers have with local care service providers; · how well managers understand the policies; · what barriers there are to implementation of family-friendly policies.

The latest in the successful Oxford Modern Britain series, Women and Work in Modern Britain provides a highly accessible introduction to this important topic. Rosemary Crompton gives a full account of the recent changes in the structure of women's employment, incorporating a comprehensive review of the theoretical concepts and arguments developed to explain them. Discussing the pattern of women's paid employment from the standpoint of both constraint and individual choice, the author begins by examining the variety of explanations offered to understand the situation of women in work in twentieth-century Britain. In subsequent chapters she discusses the nature and extent of women's employment in Britain today; cross-national comparisons of the differential structuring of women's employment; women as employees; and the impact on the lives of both women and men of the changing employment/family interface and its implications for the wider structure of inequality and social polarization in Britain. Clearly and engagingly written, with useful chapter summaries highlighting key points and discussions, Women and Work in Modern Britain will be essential reading for students and teachers alike.

First published in 1922, this volume aimed to contribute to our understanding of the complexities which shape attitudes and behaviour at work. Based on material obtained from a survey of workers employed by a single firm - who operate production systems as widely as different as continuous-flow chemical production and yarn spinning - this book highlights features of the production system which are crucial in influencing attitudes and behaviour within the work setting. Through a comparison of craftsmen and semi-skilled workers, it also illustrates the influence of differences of expectations upon work attitudes and behaviour. The authors reject any approach which could be called technologically determinist but nonetheless seek to show that a comparative approach to the study of behaviour in organizations may still fruitfully take as its starting-point technology and the systems of control which are devised for the planning and execution of the task.