Insecure work – like zero hours contracts and temporary work – is all too common for young people today. In our annual surveys, young women have reported that they’re increasingly worried about job security. This research highlights the specific challenges for young women in low paid, insecure work in Britain today.
Being in insecure work is tough for everyone. Both young men and young women face low pay, unpredictable hours and earnings and unfair and illegal practices.
Young women are particularly exposed to these negative experiences because they are more likely to work in industries where job insecurity is high.
What is insecure work?
- Non-permanent work (casual, seasonal jobs, fixed-term and agency work)
- Unpredictable pay or hours
- Underemployment (working less than 16 hours per week with a desire to work more)
- Zero-hour contracts (no specified minimum hours per week)
- Low paid self-employed / freelance work.
We found that:
For many young women, taking on insecure work doesn’t feel like a choice. A need for immediate income and a lack of other options is driving young women into insecure roles and keeping them trapped there.
Discriminatory practices are more common in insecure work. Many don’t feel able to challenge discriminatory behaviour and unfair treatment due to a fear of negative repercussions from their employer, including missing out on work.
Young women are more likely to feel trapped in insecure work than young men, and less likely to have the support and access to opportunities for skills development they need to move on from insecure work.
Insecure work has a negative impact on young women’s mental health and wellbeing. Worries about remaining stuck in low paid and low skilled insecure work can leave them feeling anxious, unable to plan for the future and less optimistic about their future careers.
So, what can be done about it?
- Ban exploitative zero hours contracts.
- Strengthen and invest in enforcement of workplace rights.
- Raise awareness amongst young women their rights and the pathways to enforcement.
- Improve flexibility across all workplaces, so that insecure work isn’t the only option for young women who need this.
- Improve training and skills development opportunities for insecure workers.
- Employers should provide more transparency about the nature of insecure contracts and realistic opportunities for extension and progression.
Join our campaign for better rights at work for young women and stronger enforcement: Campaign with us | Young Women’s Trust
