2.    New perspectives on non-standard work, labour market segmentation and social protection  

Janine Leschke (Copenhagen Business School)

Werner Eichhorst (Institute of Labour Economics)  

Non-standard work and labour market segmentation remain key topics for both academics and policymakers in Europe. Non-standard work has been portrayed as a steppingstone to more sustainable employment or a trap that keeps people in cycles of substandard jobs and unemployment. Non-standard workers often face greater job instability and limited access to social protection, making the study of non-standard employment crucial for understanding welfare states in contemporary capitalism. Research in this area focuses on the institutions and policies that shape the extent and forms of non-standard employment, the segmentation of labour markets, and transitions to standard employment. This includes employment protection legislation and a broader set of social policies regulating open-ended contracts, as well as facilitating flexible forms of employment such as fixed-term contracts, temporary agency work, marginal part-time work, and self-employment. Another area of interest is the role of actors below national politics, such as firms and their practices (e.g. outsourcing, subcontracting, temporary agency work, and online platforms) and the policies and interventions of social partners. A further research area examines the consequences of segmented labour markets in terms of job quality, including pay, the physical and social work environment, working time quality, work-life balance, job security, and workers' representation. The rise of non-standard employment has also impacted access to social protection, including unemployment benefits and pensions, as social protection systems are often designed around ‘standard employment’. Some countries have been more successful in integrating non-standard workers into social protection systems through innovative policy solutions. There are notable differences in labour market segmentation across countries, sectors, occupations, and over time. In some cases, segmentation has worsened, while in others, steps have been taken to reduce labour market divides and improve job quality and social protection.

In light of this, we invite papers offering new analytical and methodological perspectives on non-standard work and labour market segmentation. The stream is open to both conceptual and empirical papers, with a particular interest in papers exploring new ways to analyze labour market segments and mobility. We welcome contributions using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Comparative studies are encouraged.