Die Bedeutung von Nicht-Lohnkosten für atypische Beschäftigung aus Sicht von Betrieben und Arbeitnehmern

The article provides a theoretical analysis to explain the spread of temporary work and fixed-term employment with non-wage costs in firms, and search and mobility costs incurred by employees. On the one hand, firms use non-standard forms of employment for “screening on the job”. Thereby, they are able to reduce both selection costs and costs due to the non-suitability of employees. On the other hand, firms can gain extra flexibility by employing temporary workers and by concluding fixed-term contracts. In this way, they can reduce their workforce in the event of severe demand fluctuations or permanent demand reductions, without having to pay dismissal costs. By contrast, workers do not aim at non-standard employment relationships as this means more insecurity on the employment market. However, they are more likely to accept such jobs the higher the search costs are in the form of the loss of income or the loss of human capital.