Is multidimensional precarious employment higher for women?

Abstract

This article examines the relative employment situation of female employees from a novel perspective based on the construction of multidimensional indicators of employment precariousness that allow examining its scale and nature. The evidence obtained for Spain shows that both the intensity and incidence of precarious employment are significantly higher for women, to the point that half of the women are multidimensionally precarious (with an incidence which is 40% higher than that of men) and precarious females simultaneously suffer on average from nearly three deficiencies in their jobs. Although female employment precariousness is highly persistent over time, it also exhibits significant oscillations plausibly linked to changes in the economy's cyclical position and in labour market regulations. Moreover, it exhibits a great heterogeneity by subgroups (it has even an extreme nature for certain subgroups of females) and by individuals (25% of women suffer between three and six job deficiencies, which compares with 24% of women having jobs without any type of deficiency). Finally, although the greater labour precariousness of women is largely explained by their observed characteristics, particularly by their greater presence in part-time jobs, women still have a greater probability of being precarious than observationally similar men.

Characteristics and Socio-Demographic Distribution of Precarious Employment Among Korean Wage Workers: A Proposition of Multidimensional Approach Using a Summative Score

“…Our findings are consistent with those of previous studies that MPE is higher among women, young or older workers (age <35 or ≥55), workers with low educational attainment, and blue-collar or service/sales workers [ 30 , 31 ]. Therefore, this study suggests that despite regional variations in precarious employment and the labor environment, certain characteristics consistently manifest as vulnerable groups in terms of MPE.…”

Multidimensional employment precariousness mediates the association between low educational attainment and poor subjective well-being: results from a nationwide cross-sectional study in South Korea

“…When examining the gendered results of the association between educational attainment and MEP, we found that MEP was higher among female workers. Several recent studies conducted in different regional contexts, such as in Europe and the USA, have also indicated higher levels of MEP among women ( 53 , 54 ). Interestingly, while women have higher levels of MEP than men, the indirect effect of education on subjective well-being was found to be stronger for men.…”

Association between precarious employment and the onset of depressive symptoms in men and women: a 13-year longitudinal analysis in Korea (2009–2022)

“…Although lacking a universal definition, the existing literature recognizes PE as encompassing various employment conditions, such as employment insecurity, inadequate income and the absence of worker rights and protection (Bodin et al, 2020;Kreshpaj et al, 2020). PE is disproportionately distributed across socio-demographic backgrounds, including gender, age, educational level and immigrant status, thereby contributing to the exacerbation of health inequalities (Murillo-Huertas et al, 2023). Recent transformations in the global labour market, such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or the 'gig' economy, have the potential to increase the prevalence of PE among workforces.…”

“…PE is disproportionately distributed across socio-demographic backgrounds, including gender, age, educational level and immigrant status, thereby contributing to the exacerbation of health inequalities (Murillo-Huertas et al. , 2023 ). Recent transformations in the global labour market, such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or the ‘gig’ economy, have the potential to increase the prevalence of PE among workforces.…”