Precarious Employment Research Articles

Precarious employment and associations with socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported health in Wales, UK

ObjectivesThe study's aim was to explore the prevalence of precarious employment (PE) in Wales prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associations with PE domains across socio-demographics and self-reported health. Study designA cross-sectional design was used to explore the prevalence of PE in Wales prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in February 2020. MethodsData were collected from a national household survey carried out in May/June 2020, with a sample of 1032 residents in Wales. PE was determined using the Employment Precariousness Scale. Associations between experiencing PE and socio-demographic/health characteristics were examined using Chi-squared tests and logistic regression models (multinomial and binary). ResultsOverall, before the pandemic, one in four respondents (26.5%) was in PE, with the most prevalent domains, wages, and disempowerment being experienced by at least 50% of respondents. Worse perceived treatment at work was twice as likely in those reporting pre-existing conditions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.45 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.33–4.49]), poorer general health (aOR: 2.33 95% CI: [1.22–4.47]), or low mental wellbeing (aOR: 2.81 95% CI: [1.34–5.88]). Those with high wage precariousness were three times more likely to report low mental wellbeing (aOR 3.12 95% CI [1.54–6.32]). ConclusionsThe creation and provision of secure, adequately paid job opportunities has the potential to reduce the prevalence of PE in Wales. Targeting such employment opportunities to those people currently unwell would have better population health gains.

Precarious employment expectancy by history of mental-health-related sickness absence in Finland

Abstract Background Poor mental health may lead to labour market insecurity including precarious employment and vice versa. Less is known of how mental health is associated with cumulative engagement in precarious employment over the working career. We examined how the working career is expected to be distributed into precarious and other types of employment by history of mental-health-related sickness absence. Methods We used a register-based 70% population sample to examine wage-earners living in Finland in 2018. Applying the Sullivan method, we calculated the expectancy of precarious and non-precarious employment between age 25 and 63 (N = 1268666) based on a novel measure (score with items on temporariness, agency employment, multijob holding, underemployment and income level) and limited employment (due to which precariousness could not be assessed) among those with and without compensated (granted after 10 weekdays) sickness absence due to mental disorders in the past five years (mental SA history). Results Precarious employment expectancy was higher among those with than among those without a mental SA history (2.5 vs. 1.5 among men and 3.5 vs. 2.8 years among women). The difference in the limited employment expectancy was in the same direction, but much larger among men (6.5 vs. 3.3 among men and 4.4 vs. 3.4 years among women). Men with a mental SA history were expected to spend almost a fourth of their working career with either precarious or limited employment, whereas for men without such a history the number was 13%. Conclusions Individuals with mental disorders have notable accumulation of precarious employment over the working career. They also spend excessive time with limited employment, which may have similar elements as precarious employment and reflect broader labour market insecurity. Attempts should be made to ensure that insecure employment conditions among people with mental health problems do not further deteriorate their health and work ability. Key messages • People with mental disorders spend a disproportionate part of their working career either precariously employed or facing other insecurities in the labour market. • Interventions aiming to promote health and work ability should take into account the interplay between poor mental health and poor employment conditions.

Are migrant workers at greater risk of workplace deaths? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Globally, 170 million individuals migrate for work. Yet, evidence on their mortality risk remains unclear. Our aim was to synthesize global evidence on migrant worker mortality risk compared to local workers and to identify the multiple intersecting social determinants of mortality. Methods We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature which reported on mortality outcome of migrant workers. Studies published between 1 Jan 2000 to 17 Jan 2023 in English were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Ovid Global Health. Meta-analysis using random effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates and narrative synthesis was used to develop a data-driven framework on intersectional social determinants. Results Out of 11,495 identified records, 44 were included, of which 11 were pooled in meta-analyses. The combined migrant worker death count was 44,338, with data from 16 countries, including migrants from agriculture, construction, and service industries. Compared to local workers, migrant workers had a higher risk of fatal occupational injury (pooled RR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.22-2.38, I² = 99.4%), and a lower risk of all-cause mortality (pooled RR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.88-0.99, I² = 90.7%). Key social determinants associated with increased mortality risk were either migration-related (e.g. lower language proficiency, undocumented status) or labour-related (e.g. precarious employment, labour migration policies) interacting over migrant workers’ life course. Conclusions As the largest evidence synthesis to date, these findings indicate that migrant workers have higher fatal occupational injury rates than local workers, indicating the need for tailored protections for migrant workers. These data confirm that the all-cause mortality advantage observed in migrant populations applies to the working population. Future interventions should be designed to address both migration- and labour-related determinants of migrant worker health. Key messages • Migrant workers have a higher risk of workplace fatality despite being generally healthier than local workers, explained by structural determinants such as precarious employment. • Future interventions must address migration- and labour-related social determinants of health at structural levels, such as extending labour protection laws to migrant workers.

Does staffing impact health and work conditions of staff in long-term care homes?: a scoping review

Abstract Background Long-Term Care (LTC) homes are highly regulated and task oriented, with demanding work and insufficient resources. Chronic underfunding of the sector, coupled with increased complexity of care, has deteriorated working conditions, resulting in precarious employment, intensified and stressful work, and decreased job satisfaction. These work conditions have contributed to severe staffing shortages of healthcare workers globally. To meet increased labour demands, OECD countries on average will need to increase the proportion of overall employment dedicated to LTC by 32% over the next decade. While reviews of literature have examined the association between staffing and care outcomes for residents in LTC, they have not examined how staffing structures affect the healthcare staff themselves. This scoping review asks: How does staffing impact the health of staff and working conditions in LTC? Methods A scoping review of empirical peer reviewed and grey literature was conducted to examine the association between LTC staffing practices and how they impact working conditions and the health and well-being of staff. PubMed, CINHAL, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant articles published within the past 10 years. Results Searches yielded 3994 unique articles, which were independently screened by pairs of reviewers. Preliminary results highlight that staffing levels are not optimized for healthy, sustainable work conditions. The level of staff, their skill mix, and ratios all impact the ability to provide care. In circumstances where there is inadequate staffing, care workers are more likely to experience stress, burnout, job dissatisfaction, and increased injury and illness. Conclusions Staffing practices shape working conditions which impact healthcare workers own health outcomes. To facilitate a strong LTC workforce, working conditions and occupational health need to be a priority in improvement initiatives. Key messages • With extreme staffing shortages challenging the healthcare sector, this review highlights the need for heightened attention to the impact of staffing practices on the healthcare workforce. • Improving working conditions and attuning to the needs of the workforce, ultimately improves quality of care.

Is it the Past or the Present? Employment Quality, Unemployment History, Psychological Distress and Mental Wellbeing in the United Kingdom.

Low employment quality and precarious employment have been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, yet the extent to which this association may be explained by the experience of unemployment "scarring" has not yet been explored. From a life course perspective, understanding this possible confounding is necessary. Drawing on the United Kingdom's Understanding Society dataset and using latent class analysis, we derived a typology of employment quality across six dimensions and assessed the links between individuals' employment quality, unemployment history, and mental well-being and psychological distress. Our results show that precarious types of employment as well as a higher quality "protected part-time" were linked to low mental well-being, though important gender differences were noted. Accounting for past unemployment did not fully explain these associations. No such adverse associations were observed for increased psychological distress. Our results help further the understanding of employment quality as a social determinant of health and highlight the need for both life course and gender-sensitive research in this area.

An investigation of the impact of ‘Living with COVID’ on workplace COVID-19 transmission risk, response and resilience - lessons learnt and future challenges

BackgroundPrevious research has highlighted links between occupation and risk of COVID-19 transmission and suggests that occupational risk is influenced by covariates including socio-economic status, and deprivation. This study examined the perspectives of local authority teams of how changes in policy and advice, as set out in the UK government report ‘Living with COVID,’ affected COVID-19 transmission risk, response and resilience in workplace settings in Greater Manchester, an area that was disproportionately affected by the pandemic.MethodsThe project, which took place between August and November 2022, undertook a mixed methods approach to incorporate wide-ranging reflections of changes following the publication of ‘Living with COVID’. Quantitative data was collected from local employers (n = 149) and employees (n = 397) using online surveys, and qualitative interview data was collected from Greater Manchester local authority teams (n = 19).ResultsThe research highlighted the inequitable impact of the pandemic on those already experiencing health inequalities, including people on more precarious employment contracts or those who were unable to work from home during the pandemic.The study found that the facilitators that helped local authorities to support employers to manage transmission included clear, detailed and timely national and local guidance, good communication, partnership working, funding, and timely access to data. Barriers to supporting employers included contradictory or confusing national guidance, structural inequalities, lack of funding, and delayed access to data. Interview participants reported that they were now utilising lessons learnt during the pandemic, along with the that partnerships developed, in order to tackle wider health issues and to prepare for future pandemics or health crises.ConclusionThe findings of the study, which concur with previously published research conducted as part of the PROTECT project, highlight the importance of active reflection on the lessons learned during the course of the pandemic. The study draws on PH and EH teams’ perspectives of managing COVID-19 transmission, in an area that was disproportionately affected by the pandemic, in order to add to our understanding of the best ways to ensure preparedness for future pandemics or health crises at a national level.

Disaggregating the relationship between precarious employment and delayed marriage in Japan: Incorporating non-cohabiting partnerships

Precarious employment is argued to have led to delayed marriage and increased cohabitation in place of marriage. However, delayed marriage entry has also occurred in countries without an accompanying increase in cohabitation, suggesting that precarious employment may hinder the preceding stages of union formation. This study examines the influence of nonstandard employment and unemployment on later marriage entry for men and women in Japan by analyzing two distinct processes: entry into non-cohabiting partnerships and entry into marriage from non-cohabiting partnerships. The results show that nonstandard employment and unemployment are negatively associated with non-cohabiting partnership entry, in addition to marriage entry from non-cohabiting partnerships. While the negative association between unemployment and marriage entry is stronger for men than for women, there are no significant gender differences in the association between employment and non-cohabiting partnerships entry. The results suggest that the influence of precarious employment appears at earlier stages of union formation.

Use of Subsidized Health Services by Artists in Canada: An Exploratory Study.

Creative and performing artists are often confronted with precarious employment and insufficient healthcare coverage. A clinic in Canada that provides specialized healthcare to artists offers eligible artists subsidized health services. We aim to compare the use of health services, demographics and health conditions between subsidy artist recipients (SAs) and non-subsidy artists (NSAs). We accessed existing data from 265 SAs and 711 NSAs and applied descriptive and inferential statistics to address our research questions. Musculoskeletal issues, stress, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders are the most common health problems faced by SAs. Compared to NSAs, SAs were more likely to seek treatment for stress, but less likely to seek treatment for anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, chronic problems, and upper extremity problems. Future research may investigate the enduring effects of subsidized health services on SAs' health outcomes. Sustained positive outcomes are crucial for maintaining an artist's career and well-being.

Portuguese Households on a Tightrope: Income Vulnerability during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese government implemented emergency fiscal measures to protect incomes. Despite these efforts, Portugal’s poverty rate increase in 2020 was the steepest among all European Union member states. The present article maintains that the prevailing labor market institutions limited the impact of the pandemic-related emergency measures. These institutions include social policies (such as low social benefits, minimum wages near the poverty line, and weak employment protection) as well as employment practices (such as precarious employment contracts and low wages). Established institutions increased households’ vulnerability to poverty and exacerbated the GDP/poverty nexus. JEL Classification: A120, B520, I380, N340.

What is the Role of Minimum Wages in Addressing Precarious Employment in the Informal and Formal Sectors? Findings from a Systematic Review.

This article presents synthesized evidence from 16 studies examining initiatives with potential to mitigate workers' exposure to precarious employment through the adoption of minimum wage policies. All studies were set in low-income countries and focused on both formal and informal workers. A systematic review of evaluated initiatives addressing precarious employment identified the evidence. We consider minimum wage policies as initiatives that could address precarious employment because of the central role of minimum wages in establishing employment terms for workers in precarious situations. We include initiatives aimed at formal and informal workers, given that precarious employment can exist in both sectors, that these workers share concerns regarding income and would benefit from minimum wage policies. The findings imply that minimum wage policies could increase precariously employed workers' financial compensation, although with some differences and with little or no effect on employment security. It is not feasible to extend these conclusions beyond low-income economies due to differences with high-income economies in how the mechanisms through which minimum wage policies could impact worker compensation and employment security. However, they should serve as a reminder for high-income economies, many of which experience expanding informal sectors, about the need for related research and policy.

Conceptualizing precarious employment through the lens of social reproduction: Potential implications for health research and action

Research on the health and well-being impact of precarious employment (PE) commonly conceptualizes employment as a relation of power between workers and employers, a perspective informed by power relations and relational social class theories. Social reproduction theory is a less common but complementary conceptual lens that can be used to investigate PE and health, in which the nature of work has relevance for the quality of employment. Social reproduction theory points to relations between groups of workers who are valued differently based on the capacity of their work to generate profit. Attending to relations between workers based on value, in addition to the well-established power relation between workers and employers, may point to consequences for health and well-being that are worth exploring empirically, and could serve as another tool to spur collective action around PE and its health effects. We provide an illustration and discuss the potential implications of this theoretical approach using data from in-depth interviews conducted in 2022 among precariously employed food workers in New York City.

Hukou Stratification and Job Precariousness between the State and Market Sectors in Contemporary China, 2010–2021

Echoing the global expansion of precarious employment, China has experienced a surge in labor flexibility and job deterioration since its integration into global capitalism. Existing research also highlighted the distinct features of the Chinese labor market related to its post-socialist nature. The Chinese household registration system, known as hukou, has been critical in explaining stratification and shaping labor market outcomes in China. However, hukou reforms in the recent decade have further relaxed restrictions on labor mobility and hukou conversion, suggesting that hukou may gradually lose its importance in transitional China. Building upon the global research on precarious work and dynamics of precariousness in employment in the Chinese context, I conceptualize job precariousness in the contemporary Chinese labor market in three dimensions. Using pooled data from the 2010 to 2021 Chinese General Social Survey, I examine how hukou stratification is associated with the three aspects of job precariousness, compare the relative importance of hukou with other market-related factors, and identify the disparities of the state and market sectors. The findings help contextualize global trends of precariousness by broadening the evidence base through a case in China.

“It became a cycle I was not able to break” towards menstrual justice: addressing human rights violation at Indian workplaces

Purpose This paper aims to advance the concept of “menstrual justice” by building on the comprehensive framework developed by Margaret E. Johnson (2019), which integrates legal rights, social justice and intersectional analysis. By applying Johnson’s insights and human rights frameworks to menstrual health management, the study advocates for state interventions to safeguard women labourers from exploitative practices that endanger their reproductive health and to uphold their menstrual rights. Design/methodology/approach A case study methodology is used to scrutinize menstrual injustices experienced by women labourers in precarious employment conditions. Specifically, it examines two cases, the mass hysterectomies in Beed, Maharashtra and the administration of unidentified pharmaceuticals to women in Tamil Nadu factories to mitigate menstrual pain and maximize productivity. Findings The findings reveal severe violations pertaining to menstrual justice, with practices deeply rooted in socioeconomic deprivation and systemic neglect. These issues subject female workers to various forms of gender-based violence that goes beyond physical abuse, raising critical concerns about menstrual justice and human rights violations. Research limitations/implications The study’s findings have limited generalizability due to the specific contexts of the case study. Furthermore, the absence of insights from managers/supervisors, and factory owners limits a comprehensive understanding of the policies and factors leading to neglect of menstrual management practices. Practical implications The findings of the study will prompt the medical industry to initiate research into medications that can effectively alleviate period pain while minimizing harmful side effects. Current treatments often come with significant drawbacks, highlighting the need for safer and more effective alternatives. Addressing this research gap is vital for achieving menstrual equity, as it ensures that individuals suffering from menstrual pain have access to relief that does not jeopardize their overall health. Advancing research in this area will not only enhance the quality of life for menstruators but also contribute to a more equitable and inclusive approach to menstrual health care. Social implications The findings support reframing menstrual friendly labour policies including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information to everyone, regardless of gender, to reduce misinformation and stigma associated with menstruation at workplaces. Additionally, the study proposes the introduction of reusable menstrual products like menstrual cups to overcome period poverty. Thus, ensuring access to these resources is crucial for enabling informed decision-making, promoting gender equality, addressing health disparities and fostering the development of menstrual-friendly workplace policies. Originality/value This study, by using a case study-based approach, has thoroughly examined the issues and challenges faced by female labourers in fields and factories. It uniquely identifies the inadequacies in menstrual management provisions for female workers in India and advocates for a human rights-based approach to ensure that menstruators can manage their menstrual health safely. Unlike most existing studies, which primarily focus on product usage and the stigma or myths surrounding menstruation, this study advances menstrual justice by calling for labour policy reforms and medical research to lessen menstrual pain without compromising menstruators’ health. These reforms aim to provide working women with adequate rest and necessary provisions during menstruation. Addressing these gaps is essential and has been largely overlooked in global health policies.

‘How can you worry about employment and survival at the same time?’: employment and mental health among precariously employed cisgender and transgender sexual minority adult men in Toronto, Canada

This study addresses a gap in the labour market and occupational health literatures among sexual and gender minority workers by exploring the relationship between precarious employment and mental health through a political economy framework. Narratives from 20 cisgender and transgender sexual minority men were analysed to uncover the production of employment and mental health inequities. Results are presented temporally, including employment readiness, looking for work, and on the job, illuminating the social and structural processes that underly participants’ stories of precarious employment and mental health. A cyclical pattern was identified whereby participants’ mental ill-health resulted in separation from the labour market and increased employment precarity that subsequently further impacted their mental health. Interventions and programmes must consider multipronged approaches that address all aspects of this syndemic, including social stigma and discrimination towards sexual and gender minority people and improved access to stable employment, mental healthcare, and adequate social welfare systems.

Exploring How Casualization Complicates Canadian Academics’ Information Practices

An increasing number of academics working in higher education in Canada work on short-term contracts. The casualization of university work and the insecure nature of these contracts increases the difficulty that contract academic staff (CAS) experience, including often not receiving the information they need to carry out their work. While research around CAS has identified areas of challenge, there is a lack of research examining the information practices and environments of Canadian CAS. This paper reports on the findings from in-depth, semi-structured interviews carried out with CAS, focusing on their information experiences and how precarious employment and ongoing uncertainty influences their information seeking, sharing, creating, and use.

Mental health challenges of recent immigrants in precarious work environments - a qualitative study.

Recent immigrants from racialized minority backgrounds and those who are not proficient in the local language are some of the most vulnerable members of society. Despite having postsecondary educational qualifications and permanent residency status, many are engaged in precarious employment. There is a scarcity of research that has explicitly focused on the work experiences and mental health challenges faced by these immigrants. Using a grounded theory approach and semi-structured face-to-face interviews, this study examined the work experiences and mental health challenges of 42 recent immigrant employees from two cities in Canada who were working in various industries and engaged in precarious employment. Eighty-one percent of the employee participants were overqualified for their jobs. Findings highlighted several ongoing mental problems that participants experienced, stemming from challenging physical and psychological workplace conditions, negative mindsets associated with their recent immigrant status, and other contextual factors and barriers. However, various coping strategies, both constructive and unconstructive, were used to address this mental distress. The study proposes a multidimensional approach to address workplace conditions to promote good mental health for these employees. This includes preventative programs for raising awareness among employers about the importance of recent immigrant employees' mental health and well-being and policy and legislation changes to ensure the employer's commitment to creating a safe and culturally friendly workplace. The approach also recommends that recent immigrant employees receive occupational health and safety training, learn about Canadian workplace norms and culture, and have access to professional healthcare services.

The association between precarious employment and stress among working aged individuals in the United States

ObjectivePrecarious employment is a plausible stressor, which may adversely affect health. We investigated the association between multidimensional precarious employment and perceived and biological stress in the U.S. MethodsWe used data from waves 4 (2008–2009) and 5 (2016–2018) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Eight indicators were mapped to five dimensions of precarious employment to create a continuous score (PES, range: 0–5): material rewards, working-time arrangements, stability, workers' rights, and interpersonal relationships. Perceived stress was constructed from the four-item Cohen's perceived stress score (PSS; range: 0–16; wave 4). We measured biological stress in waves 4 and 5 via C-reactive protein (CRP). Given variability in CRP collection between waves, we treated wave 4 and 5 as cross-sectional. We employed adjusted linear regression models to estimate whether the PES was associated with the PSS in wave 4 (n = 11,510) and CRP in waves 4 (n = 10,343) and 5 (n = 3452). ResultIndividuals were aged 28 and 37 years on average in wave 4 and 5, respectively. Half were female and most identified as non-Hispanic (NH)-White (∼73 %), followed by NH-Black (∼14 %), Hispanic (∼9 %) and NH-other (∼4 %). Average PES was inversely related to education. The PSS averaged 8.1 (Interquartile Range [IQR] = 7.0,9.0). Average CRP was 4.4 mg/L (IQR = 0.8,5.0) in wave 4 and 3.6 mg/L (IQR = 0.8,4.2) in wave 5. The PES was associated with perceived stress (β=0.06; 95 % CI = 0.01,0.10) and CRP in wave 5 (β=0.34; 95 % CI = 0.07,0.62). ConclusionsGiven the deleterious effects of stress on health, policies to reduce precarious employment warrant consideration.

Validation of the Employment Precariousness Scale and its associations with mental health outcomes: results from a prospective community-based study of pregnant women and their partners in Dresden, Germany

ObjectiveTo translate the Employment Precariousness Scale (EPRES) from Spanish into German (EPRES-Ge), adapt it to the German context, assess the psychometric properties and show prospective associations with mental health outcomes...

Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities of Migrant Labour Households in Delhi

The paper discusses the precarity of employment for vulnerable workers, and the laws and policies meant for protecting the interests of migrants. To provide a more complete picture of the migrants belonging to the marginalized and vulnerable sections, field work was carried out in two slums of Delhi to gauge their socioeconomic conditions, nature of employment, and living conditions. The employment structure in Delhi has also been examined, using secondary data, to gauge the pattern of informal employment. The figures reveal a very sordid picture, as a majority of the workers in Delhi do not have any social security or legal protection of their jobs, and work under terrible conditions. While the social security system has been expanded to cover informal workers, migrant workers are still excluded, as the institutional structure of these schemes is creating problems in being accessible to migrants. All these factors point towards the complete lack of visibility of migrants for decades from the policy framework. There is an urgent need to develop strategies that reduce the vulnerabilities of migrants in the cities and help alleviate their miseries.

Precarious employment as a central axis of emerging adulthood among young working-class Palestinian women in Israel

ABSTRACT This study presents findings from qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) conducted among young working-class Palestinian women citizens of Israel who were interviewed as high school students working in precarious employment and again five years later as they entered emerging adulthood. The study examined precarious employment during high school as a central axis that shapes the features of emerging adulthood over time among young working-class Palestinian women, within the dynamic between culture (traditional expectations) and education (self-realization). QLR makes it possible to examine the structures of barriers and resources at the intersection of gender, class, and ethnonationality over time. Employing the theoretical frameworks of vulnerability and precarity reveals that the features of emerging adulthood are anchored in economic, political, and cultural structures. Reliance on precarious employment and exploitative work environments during adolescence has far-reaching consequences throughout emerging adulthood. Young women are in a state of perpetual responsibility, doubly tasked with escaping poverty and pursuing higher education.