Atypical Forms of Employment

In recent years, the number of atypical froms of employment has steadily increased. These forms of employment differ from "normal" employment. Examples of such work include contract and temporary employment, fixed-term employment, part-time employment, self-employment, solo self-employment, multiple jobs and freelance work.

On the one hand, the increase in atypical forms of employment is based on economic changes that correlate with new challenges for companies. Flexibilisation and delimitation of working hours and forms of work as well as employment relationships can be observed for a better adaptation to the demands of the market. On the other hand, deregulation of employment relationships encourages the spread of different forms of atypical employment.

The following questions are discussed frequently both in political and academic discussions: Is atypical employment precarious employment? And does it lead to impairments of health?

Current state of knowledge

A scoping review by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health summarises the state of scientific knowledge regarding atypical employment. The review also considers its correlation with (mental) health and well-being. Further, it describes its links to motivation, job satisfaction and performance. In addition, the scoping review reveals research gaps and discusses options for designing this factor.

The project "Mental Health in the Working World"

The scoping review on atypical employment is part of the project "Mental Health in the Working World - determining the current state of scientific evidence". The project assesses mental load factors based on the state of scientific knowledge.

For further information please refer to our German Website.

Publications

Atypical employment and mental health

Article 2018

(in German)

Atypical employment such as part-time work, fixed-term employment and temporary agency work is a growing global phenomenon due to economic and political changes. In the political and scientific debate, the questions of whether atypical employment forms are precarious and whether they are …

To the Publication