JOB INSECURITY AND WELL-BEING IN RICH DEMOCRACIES

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Labor Economics
• Political Science

Background:

• Precarious work, defined by insecurity and uncertainty, poses significant risks to workers and fuels social and political unrest.
• The manifestation and consequences of precarious employment are influenced by national labor market regulations, welfare systems, and cultural norms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cross-national variations in the experience and outcomes of precarious work.
• To analyze how job insecurity, economic instability, labor force participation, and subjective well-being differ across diverse welfare and employment regimes.
• To propose a new social and political framework for addressing the challenges of precarious work.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of precarious work across six advanced industrial nations: Denmark, Germany, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Examination of differing welfare and employment regimes and their influence on workers' experiences.
• Assessment of outcomes including job and economic insecurity, labor force entry, and subjective well-being.

Main Results:

• Significant cross-national differences exist in both the prevalence of precarious work and its impact on economic and job security.
• Workers in different national contexts experience varying levels of labor force insecurity and subjective well-being.
• The study highlights the role of national institutions in mediating the effects of precarious employment.

Conclusions:

• Precarious work is a growing global concern with diverse national implications.
• Existing labor market and welfare institutions play a crucial role in mitigating or exacerbating the negative consequences of precarious work.
• A revised social and political contract is essential to ensure worker security and well-being in the face of increasing labor market precarity.