Is this in any way a consequence of wider adoption of 'Smarter-Working' with more and more organisations and individuals governed by more flexible-hours based contracts?

The ONS (Office for National Statistics) has reported that the UK has amassed a total of 2.8m people classed as 'under-employed'. This is equal to 9.9 per cent of the workforce, who they say are 'forced' to work shorter hours than they would like to because the work is not available.

Certainly a feature of the current recession <so far!> has been slightly less than the forecast number of lay-offs/redundancies and more agreements (like at Honda and Ford) related to a reduction of hours and/or pay.

However, for some this has meant new opportunities have arisen to learn or put something back into the community by volunteering or passing on their skills as a mentor or 'skills-pool' member.

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