Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/161164 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10541
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Across many countries, the rise of atypical work has been noted whereby employees are increasingly in less secure contractual situations. While this might lead to more flexible labour markets, there are potential downsides for individuals. We explore the prevalence of atypical work in Ireland which provides a fascinating case-study. Ireland experienced a dramatic deterioration in its labour market around the Great Recession with unemployment rising from 4.8 percent in 2007 to 15 percent in 2012. This situation was also reversed somewhat quickly with unemployment falling to 8 percent by 2016. Such dramatic swings provide the context in which we explore whether atypical work increased for new job holders with the onset of recession and whether or not this weakened as the economy recovered. We find that atypical work did increase with the recession and, although moderating, the likelihood of new jobs being atypical persisted into the recovery. This raises important questions about whether economic recovery alone will improve job quality, in addition to jobs numbers.
Subjects: 
atypical work
temporary contracts
part-time
recession
JEL: 
J41
J48
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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