Health differences between multiple and single job holders in precarious employment in the Netherlands: A cross-sectional study among Dutch workers

Introduction Precarious employment is associated with poor health. Among employees in precarious employment, those with multiple jobs may face additional health risks, e.g. due to combining work schedules and job roles. Our research question is: do differences in health exist between multiple and single job holders in precarious employment? Methods Participants in the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2012 aged 25–64 years who were not employed through the Act on Social Work Provision and who had a precarious job were included. To select employees in precarious employment (n = 3,609), latent class analysis was performed, based on variables based on indicators described by Van Aerden. Differences in general self-perceived health, burnout complaints, musculoskeletal health, and sickness absence between multiple and single job holders were studied cross-sectionally using logistic regression analyses. Results No significant differences were found between multiple and single job holders in precarious employment for self-perceived health (OR = 0.9; 95%CI = 0.7–1.3), burnout complaints (OR = 0.9; 95%CI = 0.7–1.2), and musculoskeletal health (OR = 1.1; 95%CI = 0.8–1.5). In crude analyses, multiple job holders experienced less sickness absence than single job holders (OR = 0.7; 95%CI = 0.5–0.9). In adjusted analyses, this difference was no longer statistically significant (OR = 0.8; 95%CI = 0.6–1.0). Conclusions Despite potential health risks related to multiple job holding, we did not find health differences between multiple and single job holders in precarious employment in the Netherlands. More longitudinal research is necessary to provide recommendations for policy makers regarding multiple job holders in precarious employment

The longitudinal association between multiple job holding and long-term sickness absence among Danish employees: an explorative study using register-based data

Purpose Multiple job holding (MJH) is common in many countries, but little is known about its (health) consequences. Our aim is to explore the longitudinal association between MJH and long-term sickness absence (LTSA) among Danish employees. Methods We included employees (N = 8968) who participated in the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study (DWECS), based on a representative sample of the Danish working population. Three dichotomous independent variables were created: MJH in general, combination MJH (i.e. second job as employee) and hybrid MJH (i.e. self-employed in second job). LTSA (≥5 weeks) was measured using the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization during 78 weeks of follow-up. Potential confounders included demographics, health, and work characteristics. Logistic regression analyses were performed to study whether LTSA was associated with MJH in general, combination MJH, and hybrid MJH. Interaction effects for gender, age, total working hours per week (≤37 or >37 h a week), and shift work were tested. Results In total, 11.7% (N = 1048) of the respondents reported having multiple jobs and 7.6% (N = 678) experienced LTSA during follow-up. After adjustment for confounders, no significant association between LTSA and MJH in general (OR = 0.82), combination MJH (OR = 0.81), or hybrid MJH (OR = 0.83) was found. Among employees working more than 37 h per week, combination MJH was associated with a higher likelihood of LTSA (OR = 1.50). Conclusions We did not find evidence for an increased likelihood of LTSA among multiple job holders. Future research should study the likelihood of LTSA among subgroups of multiple job holders, e.g. those working long hours

Predictors of transitions from single to multiple job holding: Results of a longitudinal study among employees aged 45-64 in the Netherlands

Objectives To construct prediction models for transitions to combination multiple job holding (MJH) (multiple jobs as an employee) and hybrid MJH (being an employee and self-employed), among employees aged 45-64. Methods A total of 5187 employees in the Netherlands completed online questionnaires annually between 2010 and 2013. We applied logistic regression analyses with a backward elimination strategy to construct prediction models. Results Transitions to combination MJH and hybrid MJH were best predicted by a combination of factors including: demographics, health and mastery, work characteristics, work history, skills and knowledge, social factors, and financial factors. Not having a permanent contract and a poor household financial situation predicted both transitions. Some predictors only predicted combination MJH, e.g., working part-time, or hybrid MJH, e.g., work-home interference. Conclusions A wide variety of factors predict combination MJH and/or hybrid MJH. The prediction model approach allowed for the identification of predictors that have not been previously studied

Combineren van banen

Ongeveer 7,4 procent van de werkenden in Nederland combineert meerdere betaalde banen (multi-jobben). Er is echter weinig bekend over de samenhang tussen multi-jobben en werk- en inkomenszekerheid. Is het een goede strategie, of juist niet? Om dit te onderzoeken zijn de gegevens van 20 535 deelnemers aan de Nationale Enquête Arbeidsomstandigheden (NEA) 2012 gekoppeld aan CBSgegevens over arbeidsparticipatie en economisch zelfstandigheid (2013–2017). Economische zelfstandigheid was hierbij gedefinieerd als een inkomen hoger dan een bijstandsuitkering voor een alleenstaande. Naast beschrijvende statistieken over de ervaringen van multi-jobbers, is de relatie tussen multijobben en arbeidsparticipatie en economische zelfstandigheid gedurende een periode van vijf jaar onderzocht met Poisson regressieanalyses. Uit de beschrijvende analyses blijkt dat multi-jobbers iets vaker het risico ervaren om hun baan te verliezen, maar zich hier iets minder vaak zorgen over maken en meer vertrouwen hebben in het vinden van een nieuwe baan dan werknemers met één baan. Gedurende de follow-up periode van 5 jaar bleken multi-jobbers ook daadwerkelijk meer maanden betaald werk te hebben dan werknemers met één baan. Multi-jobbers bleken daarentegen in minder jaren economisch zelfstandig te zijn dan werknemers met één baan. De resultaten suggereren dat multi-jobben een goede strategie kan zijn om aangehaakt te blijven op de arbeidsmarkt (zekerheid op werk), maar niet om de zekerheid op economische zelfstandigheid te borgen

Ad hoc decisions as latent strategies: how do firms use non-standard employment contracts?

In this paper, we derive a typology of employer strategies regarding their use of non-standard employment contracts. For this purpose, we use Latent Class Analysis on register data containing indicators on the use of non-standard employment contracts by large firms based in the Netherlands. To examine whether employers use different strategies for employees with different skill levels, indicators were constructed separately for groups of employees with low, medium or high hourly wage

Ad hoc decisions as latent strategies: how do firms use non-standard employment contracts?

We derive a typology of firms regarding how they use non-standard contracts, using register data. We find that 58% of firms fit the core-periphery model. They use non-standard contracts differently for low-skilled and high-skilled employees. The other firms use non-standard contracts similarly for different groups of employees

Multiple-job holding is not a type of precarious employment

We are writing in regards to the review by Koranyi et al (1) on precarious employment and occupational accidents and injuries. In the review, multiple-job holding was classified as a type of precarious employment. In this letter, we argue multiple-job holding should not be considered a type of precarious employment and that multiple-job holders constitute a heterogeneous group of workers