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Automation, Trade Unions and Atypical Employment

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  • Piotr Lewandowski
  • Wojciech Szymczak

Abstract

We study the effect of automation technologies—industrial robots, software and databases—on the incidence of involuntary atypical employment in 13 EU countries between 2006 and 2018. Robots do not affect the total employment rate but significantly increase the involuntary atypical employment share, mainly through fixed‐term work. Software and databases increase total employment and are neutral for atypical employment. Higher trade union density mitigates the robots' impact on atypical employment, while employment protection legislation plays no role. Using historical decompositions, we attribute 1–2 percentage points of a 15% average atypical employment share in our sample to automation.

Suggested Citation

  • Piotr Lewandowski & Wojciech Szymczak, 2026. "Automation, Trade Unions and Atypical Employment," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 65(3), pages 378-396, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indres:v:65:y:2026:i:3:p:378-396
    DOI: 10.1111/irel.70017
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