Self-perceived job insecurity across Europe over time: Does changing context matter?

Abstract

Self-perceived job insecurity is characterised by a considerable variation across European countries; this is mostly attributed to different labour market conditions and welfare-state institutions. In addition to the previous, often static examination of these determinants, this study asks how labour market dynamics and changes in welfare-state interventions are linked to individuals’ perceptions of job insecurity. It is argued that the changing context represents a set of shared experiences that serves as a frame of reference for the perception of job insecurity. Hence, time series of context indicators provided by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and data from the European Social Survey are used to conduct multilevel analyses. The results reveal that job insecurity is dynamic, as it increases in countries facing an economic crisis, such as Greece, but decreases in countries with prosperous development like Poland. Furthermore, the results reveal that the past development of the labour market and changes in welfare-state interventions contribute to the explanation of individuals’ perceptions of job insecurity. The response to these changes differs, however, depending on the dimension of job insecurity and the socio-economic characteristics of the workers.

How self-perceived job insecurity affects health: Evidence from an age-differentiated mediation analysis

“…Thus, self-perceived job insecurity is not equally distributed across social groups. Types of workers who are most vulnerable to this form of job insecurity include those employed under a fixed-term contract, those who have previous experience with unemployment, and those with lower levels of education (Balz, 2017;Erlinghagen, 2008;Lübke and Erlinghagen, 2014;Näswall and De Witte, 2003).…”

“…As all other industrial countries, it faces the problem of balancing the need for employment security, on the one hand, and the flexibility requirements due to growing international competition, on the other hand (Kalleberg, 2009: 15). The level of job security, however, is still comparable high in Germany and job loss worries are mainly caused by economic cycles (Anderson and Pontusson, 2007;Lübke and Erlinghagen, 2014).…”

Job Insecurity Research is Still Alive and Kicking Twenty Years Later: A Commentary

“…The increase was strongest for Ireland with over 20% (OECD, ). As Lübke and Erlinghafen () showed this change in labour contract corresponds with experienced job insecurity, which increased most in Ireland.…”

Job Insecurity and Mental Well-Being in Finland, Norway, and Sweden

“…Consequently, EPL strictness was reduced to almost half its previous value. Such institutional changes are notable, since in themselves they can affect the well-being of employees (Lübke and Erlinghagen 2014). In summary, while the protection for permanent employees is quite similar in all three countries, EPL strictness for temporary employees differs greatly across the Nordic countries.…”