precarious work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precarious work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe employment that is uncertain, unstable, or lacking in security, often associated with temporary or part-time jobs. Example: "Many workers today are facing precarious work conditions, which leave them vulnerable to economic instability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Precarious work, low pay, poor working conditions and long hours - Britain has the least regulated labour market, even including the US - undermine productivity, reduce motivation and increase absenteeism.

The Guardian - Opinion

22 More than half of Japanese working women are in precarious work positions, 25 and such working conditions are not especially positive from a financial perspective.

BMJ Open

Working people in this type of precarious work arrangement have both low (remember those low prices?) and unpredictable incomes.

Huffington Post

With the expansion of precarious work over recent decades, the components of long working hours have become increasingly less standardized and have become a function of many factors: job insecurity, autonomy, enjoyment and self-fulfilment, high demands, work schedule, and job satisfaction [ 8, 15– 17].

BMC Public Health

Precarious work is being mainstreamed, but why?

The Guardian - Opinion

There will have to talk about precarious work contracts and housing in the next election.

The New York Times

The trend, they believe, will surely be towards even more precarious work.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One in 10 of the UK workforce is now in precarious work.

The Guardian

A recent offer failed to address the negative impacts of precarious work in academia that have allowed for the exploitation of lower level and non-tenured academic staff.

The Guardian

According to Ross, "the world of the communards" – migratory lives, precarious work, insecure housing – "is much closer to us than that of our parents".

The Guardian - Books

What's left for such workers is the same as their blue-collar counterparts: lower wages, precarious work and a lot of borrowing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the socio-economic impacts of "precarious work", consider providing specific examples or statistics to strengthen your argument and illustrate the real-world consequences.

Common error

Avoid sweeping statements about "precarious work" without acknowledging the varying degrees of instability and insecurity. Not all temporary or part-time work is inherently negative; some individuals may prefer the flexibility it offers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precarious work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes employment characterized by instability, insecurity, and a lack of long-term prospects, often associated with temporary or part-time jobs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "precarious work" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound term used to describe employment characterized by instability and insecurity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase effectively conveys the lack of long-term prospects and limited job security associated with such work. Appearing frequently in news and media, as well as scientific publications, the phrase serves to highlight the socio-economic challenges faced by workers in these conditions. Alternative terms like "insecure employment" or "unstable job" offer similar meanings, but "precarious work" provides a comprehensive understanding of the vulnerabilities involved. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid generalizations and acknowledge the varying experiences of workers in different "precarious work" arrangements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insecure employment

Emphasizes the lack of job security and the risk of job loss.

unstable job

Focuses on the lack of stability and predictability in the employment.

contingent labor

Highlights the temporary and non-permanent nature of the work.

flexible labor

Highlights the flexibility and adaptability required in precarious employment situations.

temporary work

Focuses on the limited duration and lack of permanence.

casual employment

Suggests a lack of formal employment arrangements and benefits.

gig economy

Highlights the nature of temporary and part-time jobs typical of the new economy.

atypical employment

Emphasizes that the employment is irregular and doesn't conform to standard employment patterns.

vulnerable employment

Stresses the susceptibility to economic hardship and exploitation.

marginal employment

Highlights that the job is not central to economic activity and is poorly rewarded.

FAQs

How is "precarious work" different from temporary work?

While temporary work ("temporary work") focuses on the limited duration of the job, "precarious work" encompasses broader aspects of instability, including low pay, lack of benefits, and job insecurity.

What are some of the main characteristics of "precarious work"?

"Precarious work" typically involves short-term contracts, low wages, limited or no benefits, and a lack of job security. It often leaves workers vulnerable to economic hardship.

What are some alternative terms I can use instead of "precarious work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "insecure employment", "unstable job", or "contingent labor".

How does "precarious work" affect workers' mental health?

"Precarious work" can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression due to job insecurity, financial instability, and lack of control over working conditions.