Precarious Work Research

It further highlights the similarities between hairstylists and housekeepers. Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are professionals who engage in hair and beauty services to enhance the appearance of the client. Their line of work relates to the precarious trends in the market. Among the many similarities exhibited by Barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists to precarious work are the temporal nature of work. There is no certainty about the continuity of the employment. The disparity presented between Barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists and precarious work is the wage. The wage for barbers and cosmologists is slightly above the US minimum wage. The rates stand at $11. 66 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018). This is unlike precarious work where the pay is sometimes below the minimum wage. Hairstylists and housekeepers are equally exposed to workplace hazards (Oxfam Canada Report 2017).

They experience lengthy standing hours, as their services involve standing a lot. This strains the back and legs depending on the amount of work. They are also exposed to toxic chemicals. All these factors contribute to a gradual decline in health. For instance, European Nations face the same problem of precariousness in their social set up due to their frequent outsourcing of work to countries where labor is offered cheaply yet the end goal is attained, such countries include Asia and South America. This problem is by and by leading to the development of negative implications to the economy such as bottoming out in white collar jobs and majority individuals living below the poverty line without any means of obtaining a decent wage.

In this section of the paper, I will provide a detailed background on precarious work and its establishment in our societies. This will enhance the understanding of the changes that have taken place in work over the past 35 years. In any society, work is treated with high regard. Each of these aspects served a critical function in the lives of workers. For instance, social protection ensured that employees were secure from vulnerabilities and incidents that would impose suffering, anxiety, insecurity, depression and material deprivation (Edralin 2013). Social dialogue meant that workers were allowed an audience to stand for their beliefs and voice out their concerns and priorities. These were sittings where negotiations and discussions were held by workers to establish conducive policies that work for them as well as the organization’s involvement.

This is the idea of employment many had for many decades. The causes extend to social and political spheres. The developments that have taken place in employment significantly differ from the golden age of capitalism, the post WWΙΙ period. It proves that precarious work has been in existence for quite some time. It is a characteristic of employment that has been in existence since the event of capitalist development. The stability and security of employment was relatively an anomaly. The organizations majorly operated under the desires of the manager, unlike the present times when organization visions and goals have to align with the needs of stakeholders. Kalleberg asserts that managers were the epitome of power in American industries. He explains that this outlook in the management of organizations triggered growth.

Executive payment was balanced using the size of the organization. Hence the more prominent the company grew, the higher the pay for executive staff. The employment system was organized in a manner that employees and the companies benefited. The social contract was an accord that workers would receive secure and enough wages in exchange for peaceful labor and productivity. Additionally, the political environment fostered the advancement of both employees and companies. The political environment at the time was swift in acting out to intervene where social and economic problems arose. Another feature of employment system during the post WWΙΙ period is the formation of an institutional labor market framework. As the problems continued to increase, the employment systems also began to suffer.

It started with the withdrawal of unions and minimum wage laws. The protection offered to workers generally declines. As the unions faced ultimate destruction, the government in response relaxed their efforts to look into the needs of employees as there were other more demanding problems. The employees acted out in a bid to achieve greater flexibility for themselves but did not realize they were offsetting long-term structural transformations to the traditional employment systems. Kalleberg also exposes the tendency of risks shifting from the employers to the employees. This was the trend that took followed the Post WWΙΙ period of employment system. Methodology There were several methodologies to be used to collect data on the prevalence of precarious work. However, since the study is majorly grounded in theory, I saw it fit to use interviewing to solicit the views of different people.

It is through their views that an analysis would be created to shed light on the experience being investigated. Considering I sampled varied personalities, it made it hard to establish a definitive range of questions that will be standard for all the respondents. Questions will be drawn from the range provided as I gauge on the appropriate individual questions to use. The platform is open to random questions as some essential questions may arise during the interview process. The additional questions will be duly recorded to establish the impact it will have on the feedback. The examples I have provided are not exhaustive and may just form the skeleton for the expectations. The first phase entailed an informal conversation. I started a conversation on a general topic to make the respondents comfortable.

Since we are in the different age groups, it was better creating a rapport in that manner. I talked to all the participants and established that each of them had indeed experience precarious employment in their unique way. With this in mind, I proceeded to the second phase. I used the guided checklist I had earlier prepared. In this interview session, I aimed at collecting more information about the areas of concern established in the second phase of the interview. I asked questions that highlighted the significant comparisons between Barbers, Hairstylists, and cosmetologists to precarious works. I used nine techniques to probe the questions, clarify, and record the actual statements. The techniques I used include, linking; whereby I used the respondent's feedback to relate to the subject of investigation.

I will then present the reports to the respondents to ascertain that their views have been fairly represented. Their comments on the report would be valuable to the progress of the study. In the case where I wrongly captured the information, editing was done to ensure the statements are as intended by the respondent. It is at this stage that the data will be cleared and certified for synthesis use. If the reports have pending interviewee approval, they will be stored in the project archive. e. , Pension Threat to relationships Surviving Social Relationship Friends present The study took place when the economy was facing an economic decline in many precarious types of employment. Especially construction works. There was a massive drop in tenders rendering most of the self-employed individuals jobless.

A decline in the economy is among the concerning areas all the participants shared similar sentiments. admitted that she calls in the hairstylists depending on the demand of her services. This is a typical day with an overflow of customers. Salary rates The salaries go hand in hand with the amount of work an individual partakes in. The participants relayed that with the amount of work reducing so is their salary. Each respondent had different rates for the services offered at the salon, however the prices were fair and above the minimum wage rates. Alternative Employment Some participants revealed that they had to look for alternative employment openings in a bid to make ends meet. They have to work multiple jobs so that they can sustain a comfortable way of life for them and their children.

The individuals who were comfortable in their employment had a decent salary to support them were the salon owners, however for the employees they did not wholly rely on this employment as the workflow is not consistent. They are only called when there is a demand. Insecurity about the future All the participants expressed their fear of the unpredictable future. Some entail application of chemicals on the hair. This exposed the clients plus the employees to toxic fumes. The salons are not equipped to deal with such gases. Additionally, the floors do not have rubber shock mats as I noticed at Bousso N’s salon. She also admitted that the fact that she has to stand throughout the week, she gets back and leg pains.

It wasn’t always easy, and we did struggle for a while when they were smaller. Childcare was an issue, so I had to keep them in the shop, and that helped because I didn’t have to pay a sitter, but I had to keep them real busy. To make it easier I registered them for a school close to the salon and found an afterschool program, so I could work longer hours and just pay someone to pick them up. Now that they are teenagers they watch each other”. Surviving The participants identified the many outcomes of their lives to be either positive or negative. Although her educational background does not portray hair or cosmetology credentials, she set out to start a career as a salon owner.

They also said that they had worked countless employment. Moving from one work to the next was the way of survival. The type of work they held allowed for that type of flexibility. They were also presented with options to engage in other activities; however in a bid to cope they would pass off on such changes. The support base was quite significant when it comes to babysitting or filling up for work when one is ailing. They also stepped up when the participants were completely stuck. Starr Cooper asserted “My sister, my good friend once stepped up for me when I was on the verge of losing my house. She helped me clear the pilled debts. ” Summary With regards to the focus of the study, the relationship hairstylists and housekeepers are apparent.