The pandemic may have enforced permanent changes on the world of work, but the promise of greater flexibility is ringing hollow for millions of part-timers who are struggling to find jobs.
Although employers are resuming recruitment now that lockdown restrictions are being lifted, few are interested in taking on part-time staff, who make up a quarter of the workforce and are disproportionately employed in low-paid jobs.
Flows out of part-time work are particularly damaging for women and carers, who are often employed in this way. In addition, many of those in part-time work are unable to increase their hours so have been shut out of other job opportunities, as part-time jobs in the hospitality and retail sector dried up during the pandemic.
Part-time employment has
