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Flexible Contract Workers in Inferior Jobs: Reappraising the Evidence

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  • Colin Green
  • Parvinder Kler
  • Gareth Leeves

Abstract

There is concern that the increase in flexible employment contracts witnessed in many OECD economies is evidence of a growth in low‐pay, low‐quality jobs. In practice, it is difficult to evaluate the ‘quality’ of flexible jobs. Previous research has primarily investigated objective measures of job quality such as wages and training or subjective measures such as job satisfaction. We jointly evaluate these elements of flexible employment contracts using a job quality index. Analysis of this index demonstrates that flexible jobs are of a lower quality. Differences in the subjective and objective assessment of factors like pay and hours are evident.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin Green & Parvinder Kler & Gareth Leeves, 2010. "Flexible Contract Workers in Inferior Jobs: Reappraising the Evidence," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 48(3), pages 605-629, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:48:y:2010:i:3:p:605-629
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2009.00742.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Hielke Buddelmeyer & Duncan McVicar & Mark Wooden, 2015. "Non-Standard “Contingent” Employment and Job Satisfaction: A Panel Data Analysis," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(2), pages 256-275, April.
    2. Inga Laß & Esperanza Vera-Toscano & Mark Wooden, 2023. "Working from home, COVID-19 and job satisfaction," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2023n04, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    3. Elke Jahn, 2015. "Don't Worry, be Flexible? - Job Satisfaction among Flexible Workers," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 18(2), pages 147-168.
    4. Leandro Iván Canzio & Felix Bühlmann & Jonas Masdonati, 2023. "Job satisfaction across Europe: An analysis of the heterogeneous temporary workforce in 27 countries," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(3), pages 728-754, August.
    5. Adrian Chadi & Clemens Hetschko, 2013. "Flexibilisation without Hesitation? Temporary Contracts and Workers’ Satisfaction," IAAEU Discussion Papers 201304, Institute of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU).
    6. Tcherneva Pavlina R., 2012. "The Job Guarantee: Delivering the Benefits That Basic Income Only Promises – A Response to Guy Standing," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 7(2), pages 66-87, January.
    7. Giuliano, Romina & Mahy, Benoît & Rycx, François & Vermeylen, Guillaume, 2024. "Overeducation, Overskilling and Job Satisfaction in Europe: The Moderating Role of Employment Contracts," IZA Discussion Papers 16913, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. David C. Ribar & Mark Wooden, 2020. "Four Dimensions of Quality in Australian Jobs," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 96(S1), pages 26-49, June.
    9. Inga Laß & Mark Wooden, 2019. "The Structure of the Wage Gap for Temporary Workers: Evidence from Australian Panel Data," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 57(3), pages 453-478, September.
    10. Giovanis, Eleftherios, 2015. "Flexible Employment Arrangements and Workplace Performance," MPRA Paper 68670, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Uta Wilkens & Daniel Nermerich, 2011. "'Love it, change it, or leave it' – Understanding Highly-skilled Flexible Workers’ Job Satisfaction from a Psychological Contract Perspective," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 22(1), pages 65-83.
    12. Inga Laß & Mark Wooden, 2020. "Non‐Standard Employment and Wage Growth in Australia," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 53(3), pages 325-342, September.
    13. Steffen Otterbach & Mark Wooden & Yin King Fok, 2016. "Working-Time Mismatch and Mental Health," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2016n11, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    14. Romina Giuliano & Benoît Mahy & François Ryckx & Guillaume Vermeylen, 2024. "Overeducation, Overskilling and Job Satisfaction in Europe: The Moderating Role of Employment Contracts," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2024003, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    15. Colin P. Green & Gareth D. Leeves, 2013. "Job Security, Financial Security and Worker Well-being: New Evidence on the Effects of Flexible Employment," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 60(2), pages 121-138, May.
    16. Green, Francis, 2021. "Decent Work and The Quality of Work and Employment," GLO Discussion Paper Series 817, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    17. Damian Raess & Brian Burgoon, 2015. "Flexible Work and Immigration in Europe," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 53(1), pages 94-111, March.
    18. Duncan McVicar & Mark Wooden & Felix Leung & Ning Li, 2016. "Work-Related Training and the Probability of Transitioning from Non-Permanent to Permanent Employment," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(3), pages 623-646, September.
    19. Inga Laß & Mark Wooden, 2019. "Non-standard Employment and Wages in Australia," RBA Annual Conference Papers acp2019-04, Reserve Bank of Australia, revised Jul 2019.
    20. Maeve O'Sullivan & Christine Cross & Jonathan Lavelle, 2021. "Good or bad jobs? Characteristics of older female part‐time work," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(5), pages 423-441, September.
    21. Mark Wooden, 2021. "Job Characteristics and the Changing Nature of Work," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(4), pages 494-505, December.
    22. Cheryl Carleton & Mary Kelly, 2019. "Alternative Work Arrangements and Job Satisfaction," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 47(3), pages 293-309, September.
    23. Pollio, Chiara & Landini, Fabio & Prodi, Elena & Arrighetti, Alessandro, 2023. "Does Temporary Employment undermine the Quality of Permanent Jobs?," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1273, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    24. Cheryl Carleton & Mary T. Kelly, 2016. "Alternative Work Arrangements and Job Satisfaction," Villanova School of Business Department of Economics and Statistics Working Paper Series 32, Villanova School of Business Department of Economics and Statistics.

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