Grey workers in the European Union: precariousness among economically dependent solo self-employed

Abstract

Purpose

This explorative study aims to investigate work precariousness (WP) among EU27-based economically dependent solo self-employed, i.e. those with no employees and usually relying on just one client.

Design/methodology/approach

Univariate and multivariate analyses of European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) (2015) and Eurostat data.

Findings

The analyses yielded Disempowerment, intended as lack of job autonomy and money-induced Vulnerability as the dimensions of WP. Disempowerment was found positively influenced by workers' threat of losing the job and negatively by the enjoyment from being their own boss. Vulnerability was negatively influenced by workers' age, perceived easiness to find new customers, household's financial well-being as well as the country's employment rate.

Originality/value

The study represents pioneer exploration of the phenomenon's dimensionality and main determinants.

Citation

Majetic, F., Rajter, M. and Bassetti, C. (2023), "Grey workers in the European Union: precariousness among economically dependent solo self-employed", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 43 No. 7/8, pp. 609-625. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-05-2022-0126