The effects of employment, unemployment and further education upon the work values of school leavers

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Abstract
A longitudinal study of school leavers in South Australia was conducted with a sample of 652. School leavers (in their last year of school) were given a questionnaire which measured their desired level of skill‐utilization, influence and variety in a job. One year later they were retested. Of the total sample, 386 were employed, 65 unemployed and 201 engaged in further education. It was predicted that employed and unemployed subjects would show lower work values while those in further education would show increases in work values. Those subjects who continued as students did show an expected increase in their desire for skill‐utilization, influence and variety. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant change in the work values of those unemployed. Those in employment showed a significant increase in their desire for skill‐utilization but no change in desired influence and variety. Results did not support the value adaptation model of Herzberg, Mausner, Peterson, & Capwell (1957), even though there was a significant discrepancy between experienced job attributes and the work values of those in employment. The possible consequences for social adjustment of continued discrepancies between work values and existing job structures (underemployment) is briefly discussed.

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