One in four UK jobs considered 'bad jobs,' with women more affected, says economist

The economist urges a shift in focus from traditional labour market measures to evaluating the quality of employment, emphasising the need for policymakers to address the conditions of the most vulnerable workers, including those on unstable contracts or holding multiple jobs.

Sehnbruch argues that the emphasis on traditional labour market metrics, such as unemployment rates and wage growth, has obscured the prevalence of ’bad jobs.’ She urges policymakers to consider factors like unstable contracts, multiple job engagements, and overall poor employment conditions.

The definition of a ’bad job’, according to Sehnbruch, is one that deprives workers of key employment conditions, including low earnings, unstable employment (e.g., zero-hours or temporary contracts), and poor conditions such as excessive or insufficient working hours. She emphasises the necessity of enhancing data collection methods to measure employment quality, fostering social dialogue mechanisms for employment policy discussions, and considering the broader policy implications of poor-quality employment in the UK’s socioeconomic development.

Sehnbruch’s research indicates that 30% of women are in ’bad jobs,’ compared to 23% of men, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the quality of employment.

Her findings also revealed 30% of non-unionised workers are in poor-quality employment, contrasting with 12% of unionised employees. The role of unions in safeguarding employment conditions is evident. Migrant workers, particularly in the gig economy, form a substantial portion of those in poor-quality employment, often working long hours.

Professor Sehnbruch’s research calls for a re-evaluation of the UK’s employment mechanisms, and urges policymakers to prioritise the well-being of workers while addressing the nuanced factors contributing to poor-quality employment.