Studies in non-standard employment in Canada Geoff Bowlby, Director, Labour Statistics Division November 1, 2008
Defining non-standard employment According to Krahn s broad definition of non-standard employment it is the alternative to one full-time, permanent, 9 to 5 schedule where you are a paid employee. Non-standard by this definition would include: part-time, temporary, multiplejob holders (moonlighting), and the self-employed (Vosko 2003). Shift work may also be considered an alternative work arrangement to the 9 to 5 standard. The restricted definition excludes the self-employed and multiple jobholders. It focuses mainly on part-time and temporary employment (Krahn 1991). The reason multiplejob holders is excluded is because not all these workers are in precarious financial or employment situations. About a third of those with multiple jobs have a first full-time job in professional/ management occupations (Webber 1989). 2
Definitions of non-standard employment From: Precarious jobs: a new typology of employment Vosko, Zukewich and Cranford (2003) 3
Over half of temporary employees in 2007 worked under one year % 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 53.9 Temporary 46.1 80.4 Under one year One year or more 19.6 Permanent Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2007 4
Employed with non-standard employment relationship* % of employed 15+ 45 40 35 30 25 20 women men both sexes 1989 1994 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 5 *One or more part-time work, temporary work, self-employment, or multiple job holding Source: Adapted and updated from Precarious jobs: A new typology of employment Vosko, Zukewich and Cranford (2003) using General Social Survey, 1989 and 1944; Labour Force Survey, 1997 to 2007
Part-time rates are higher for core age women and youths in 2007 Part-time employment rates, by sex and age, 1976 and 2007 percentage 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Both sexes 15 and over Both sexes 15 to 24 1976 2007 Men 25 to 54 Women 25 to 54 Both sexes 55 and over Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, CANSIM table 282-0002. 6
In 2007 temporary workers represent 12.9% of total employment percentage 35 30 25 Rate of temporary employees, by sex and age, 1997 and 2007 1997 2007 20 15 10 5 0 Both sexes 15 and over Both sexes 15 to 24 Men 25 to 54 Women 25 to 54 Both sexes 55 and over Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, CANSIM table 282-0080. 7
Multiple jobholders represents 5.3% of the total in 2007 up from 2.1% in 1976 Total, all industries 5.5% 5.0% 4.5% 4.0% 3.5% Total, all industries 8 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Self-employment has remained about 15 percent for the last several years % 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey 9
Self-employment is prevalent in agriculture and professional, scientific and technical services Rate of self-employment, by industry, 2007 Agriculture Professional, scientific and technical services Other services Construction Business, building and other support services Transportation and warehousing Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing Information, culture and recreation Forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas Health care and social assistance Trade Accommodation and food services Manufacturing Educational services Overall average 15.5% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, CANSIM table 282-0012. % 10
References Vosko, L., Zukewich, N. and Cynthia Cranford, 2003. Precarious jobs: A new typology of employment Perspectives on Labour and Income. Vol. 4, no. 10. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-001-XIE. Krahn, Harvey. 1991. Non-standard work arrangments Perspectives on Labour and Income. Vol. 3, no. 4. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-001-XIE. Krahn,Harvey. 1995. Non-standard work on the rise Perspectives on Labour and Income. Vol. 7, no. 4. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-001-XIE. Marshall, Katherine. 2003. Benefits of the job Perspectives on Labour and Income. Vol. 4, no. 5. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-001-XIE. 11
What s wrong with non-standard employment? Assumption of lower quality employment situation. Is this true (multiple job-holding for example)? Would there have been more unemployment in the absence of non-standard work? Reasons for working part-time are telling, but need a similar measurement for those working temporary jobs, self-employment, multiple jobholding. From employer or consumer point of view, nonstandard employment may be beneficial. 12