Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
To investigate the problem of deference by examining the social situation of an archetypal group of `deferential' workers - farm workers.
Main Topics:
Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions A. Farm Workers Most preferred job and reason, satisfaction with present job, aspects liked/disliked, whether respondent feels he should have chosen a different occupation. Relationship with farmer, frequency of working with/ seeing farmer, whether respondent seeks/takes advice on personal matters, whether feels is treated well by farmer, whether believes farmers and workers can work together as a team. Contact with work mates and type of relationship, attitude to absenteeism. Satisfaction with farm, whether respondent has considered leaving and why, how far would be willing to move for another job, whether a replacement would be willing to move for another job, whether a replacement would be easy/difficult to find and reason, whether would leave farming for a higher wage (amount), perception of own job security and farm workers in general, satisfaction with pay, desired income level, whether believes other workers are faring better (who) and whether approves, whether financial position of farm workers has improved or deteriorated over last few years. Trade union membership and activity (reasons), attitude to strikes. Respondents were asked to agree/disagree with a number of statements, exploring the nature of the employer- employee relationship, both in farming and in other industries. Perception of class situation in Britain, self-rated social class. Opinion on several aspects of society in general - e.g. the monarchy, the aristocracy, the House of Lords, public schools, aspects of government. Interest in and satisfaction with village life, friendship network, club affiliation, religion and church attendance, social activities, assessment of other people's opinions of farm workers, what determines social standing of village people, opinion of tied cottage system, whether respondent would encourage children to enter farming (reasons). B. Farmers Number of workers employed and sex, number who are family members, number of partners/directors, average number of hours worked on holding each week (respondent and wife), other occupation if part-time, whether undertakes agricultural work on another holding, if so - where and how often. Most preferred job (reason). Qualities looked for in applicants for farmwork (character v. skill), importance of qualification, highest wage willing to pay, availability of specialised workers (e.g. stockmen) and general workers, method of hiring (e.g. advertisement, employment exchange) number of days lost previous year due to sickness/absenteeism of labour force, number of workers resigned in past year/five years. Background Variables A. Farm Workers Location of house, type of worker, place of birth, age, age finished full-time education, agricultural qualifications, employment history, unemployment experience, hours worked, rate of pay, accommodation tenure (tied, owner occupied, privately rented, council), marital status, wife's occupation, occupation and union membership of father, brothers, father-in-law, number of children, number at home and occupations (if working), basic wage, average weekly earnings, relative deprivation (difference between actual and desired wage). B. Farmers Size and type of farm, tenurial status, place of birth, age, age finished full-time education, agricultural qualifications, employment history, marital status, occupation of father, brothers, father-in-law, type of farmer (e.g. family, hobby, office, active managerial).
Non-random area sample (44 parishes)
Face-to-face interview
