"An excellent summary of why and how we work." People Management magazine
What do we know about the current state of work and employment and what does the future of work look like? Professor Melanie Simms provides a far-reaching overview of paid employment in the UK, examining why we work, how we work, and what the future of work will be like with changing demographics and the introduction of modern technologies.
From zero-hour contracts, the gig economy and universal basic income, to automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, Simms analyses the most pressing issues facing traditional employment. Before outlining four priority areas where the UK should look to strengthen regulation of in order to face the coming challenges more effectively, but also, so that they benefit workers, as well as employers and managers.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The 'What Do We Know and What Should We Do About...?' series offers readers short, up-to-date overviews of key issues often misrepresented, simplified or misunderstood in modern society and the media. Each book is written by a leading social scientist with an established reputation in the relevant subject area. The Series Editor is Professor Chris Grey, Royal Holloway, University of London
Autorentext
Inhalt
What do we know about work?
What is work?
Who works?
What do we do at work?
Why does work matter?
How has work changed?
Women's employment
The service economy
The ageing workforce
Changing migration patterns
Labour share of income
Households
Trade unions
Summary
What do we know about the future of work?
Debates about the future of work
The rise of automation
Platform capitalism
Universal Basic Income
Flexible work
Gig work and self-employment
Work is a social activity
The dark side of work
What are skills and why do they matter to the future of work?
Summary
What should we do about the future of work?
Good jobs and bad jobs
Why regulation matters
The roles of the State
The State as an employer
The State as a rule maker and rule enforcer
Work and self-employment: regulating the rise of platform capitalism
New skills: a collective challenge
Who works: the challenges of demographic change
Pensions: the changing 'deal' at work
Will we ever see a post-employment future?
Further reading
References