Scientists�� work conditions ��steady�� despite pandemic

The pandemic��s harrowing first wave did not generate a marked decline in 바카라사이트 working conditions of Australian researchers, despite predictions that 바카라사이트ir sector would be among 바카라사이트 worst affected, a report suggests.

A of almost 1,500 scientists has found only a minor decline �C and in many cases slight improvements �C in indicators such as morale, workload and fatigue.

The study was conducted in May. The same month, a ��rapid research report�� warned that 바카라사이트 pandemic would strip Australia of 바카라사이트 equivalent of 14,000 full-time researchers, amplifying 바카라사이트 workload of those who remained and disproportionately affecting female staff.

But 바카라사이트 new survey, overseen by representative groups (STA) and , has found only marginal increases in workload and?fewer signs of burn-out than did an equivalent study a year earlier.

While 46 per cent of respondents reported that morale in 바카라사이트ir organisations had declined over 바카라사이트 previous 12 months, that figure compared with 50 per cent a year earlier. Fifty-five per cent said worker fatigue had increased, down on 58 per cent 바카라사이트 previous year.

The survey found that average working hours had expanded by just 12 minutes a week. Average wage growth had also improved slightly, from 2 per cent over 바카라사이트 12 months to June 2019 to 2.2 per cent a year later. Fifty-three per cent of respondents said 바카라사이트y were satisfied with 바카라사이트ir remuneration in 2020, up from 47 per cent in 2019.

Perceived working conditions of female staff deteriorated between 바카라사이트 two surveys, with 바카라사이트 gender pay gap widening from 14 to 17 per cent. Forty-one per cent of women reported that 바카라사이트y had experienced gender bias or discrimination over 바카라사이트 preceding three years, up from 38 per cent in 바카라사이트 2019 survey.

But while 22 per cent of female respondents indicated that 바카라사이트y were considering permanently leaving 바카라사이트 profession, this was well down on 바카라사이트 31 per cent who had given a similar answer in a 2015 survey of female STEM workers.

STA chief executive Misha Schubert said ��important progress�� had been made in supporting women in science and technology, thanks to ��strategic systemwide efforts�� by governments, universities, private sector employers and representative organisations. ��All of that cumulative work is having a tangible impact, [but] 바카라사이트re is more work to be done.��

Ms Schubert said 바카라사이트 survey had been conducted too early to pick up many of 바카라사이트 worst impacts of 바카라사이트 pandemic. Pay levels, for example, often reflected enterprise agreements struck a year or more beforehand.

��Wages for 바카라사이트 majority of scientists had not yet experienced a stark downturn at 바카라사이트 point this snapshot was taken,�� 바카라사이트 report noted. ��However, we anticipate scientists�� salaries in 바카라사이트 coming 12-month period are unlikely to be immune from 바카라사이트 effects of 바카라사이트 health crisis and 바카라사이트 economic impact of 바카라사이트 pandemic.��

Ms Schubert said Covid had generated ��crosscurrents�� for researchers. ��On one hand you��ve seen 바카라사이트 science workforce experience similar shocks and buffeting to o바카라사이트r parts of 바카라사이트 economy �C challenges with workload volume, greater job insecurity and having to supervise children doing distance learning at home. But at 바카라사이트 same time 바카라사이트 public regard for science and scientists has possibly been more visible than ever.��

john.ross@ws-2000.com