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Labour casualization and the psychosocial health of workers in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Michael McGann

    (The University of Melbourne, Australia)

  • Kevin White

    (The Australian National University, Australia)

  • Jeremy Moss

    (The University of New South Wales, Australia)

Abstract

This article presents the results of a qualitative study of 72 workers in regional Victoria, Australia. Against the background of the growing casualization of the workforce it demonstrates the impact on the health and well-being of these workers, focusing on the intersection between psychosocial working conditions and health. In particular it focuses on the detrimental impact on workers’ sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem. It emphasizes how the job insecurity characteristic of non-standard work extends beyond the fear of job loss to involve uncertainty over the scheduling of work, with debilitating consequences for workers’ autonomy, self-efficacy and control over their lives. Additionally, it is argued that the exclusion of these workers from paid leave and other entitlements in the workplace confers a lower social status on these workers that is corrosive of their self-esteem. It is these key socio-psychological mechanisms that provide the link between insecure work and workers’ health.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael McGann & Kevin White & Jeremy Moss, 2016. "Labour casualization and the psychosocial health of workers in Australia," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(5), pages 766-782, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:30:y:2016:i:5:p:766-782
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016633022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marmot, Michael & Siegrist, Johannes, 2004. "Health inequalities and the psychosocial environment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(8), pages 1461-1461, April.
    2. Iain Campbell & John Burgess, 2001. "Casual Employment in Australia and Temporary Employment in Europe: Developing a Cross-National Comparison," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 15(1), pages 171-184, March.
    3. Hazel Conley, 2008. "The nightmare of temporary work: a comment on Fevre," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 22(4), pages 731-736, December.
    4. Siegrist, Johannes & Marmot, Michael, 2004. "Health inequalities and the psychosocial environment--two scientific challenges," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(8), pages 1463-1473, April.
    5. Benach, J. & Benavides, F.G. & Platt, S. & Diez-Roux, A. & Muntaner, C., 2000. "The health-damaging potential of new types of flexible employment: A challenge for public health researchers," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(8), pages 1316-1317.
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    Cited by:

    1. Inga Laß & Mark Wooden, 2019. "Temporary employment and work-life balance in Australia," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2019n11, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.

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