Non-standard employment and health - translating results to action

Background: National statistics in Sweden and elsewhere are currently not capturing these new forms of employment in labor force surveys and registers.

Policymakers and stakeholder also have limited knowledge about health effects of non-standard employment arrangements and health.

This impact grant proposal builds on the ongoing research program Precarious Work Research (PWR) which started in 2019.Aim: To establish a platform for researchers and labor market statisticians seeking a common, actionable definition of precarious and non-standard employment.

This platform would create guidelines for collecting and reporting data in national statistics, building on results from the PWR research program and previous work by others.

The second aim is to increase the level of knowledge regarding problems and solutions related to non-standard employment arrangements and health among policymakers, the social partners and other stakeholders in Sweden and internationally to facilitate action.Methods: We will follow an on-line Delphi process (a structured communication method used to reach consensus among experts) leading to: (a) a consensus document on a definition of precarious employment, (b) survey modules for labor force surveys, and (c) guidelines for preferred reporting and structure in order to make comparisons over time and between countries.

Further, we will draft a handbook, with results from the research program PWR will be published, along with concrete suggestions how current social and labor policy could be modified to provide better coverage and promote health for workers in non- standard employment.

Before publication, the handbook will be discussed with relevant stakeholders in a extensive dialogueImpact: The expected outputs will improve Sweden’s and other countries’ ability to monitor and evaluate trends in non-standard and precarious employment, greatly improving the ability of policymakers, the social partners and other stakeholders to contribute to decent work for all (SDG 8).

The handbook will further facilitate a nuanced and evidence-based discussion about the relation between non-standard employment, health and well-being and provide guidance how related problems could be mitigated. The long-term impact would be better informed policy and better health for non-standard workers.