Insecure workers trapped in unstable jobs for years due to unpredictable pay and hours

While insecure work is often seen as a temporary stepping stone to better employment, the reality is very different.

A study by the Work Foundation thinktank found insecure work is trapping people for years in jobs with unpredictable hours and low pay.

After tracking the employment of 10,000 people during a four-year period, the researchers found that 44% were in the same situation four years later, while 9% had dropped out of work altogether.

Meanwhile, only 39% progressed into more secure jobs after the study period.

Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, said that due to “the very nature of insecure work”, people are struggling to transition to secure jobs, as unpredictable pay and hours make it hard to plan ahead, upskill, or find new opportunities.

Almost 7 million people were doing insecure work in 2023, and those in insecure jobs earn on average £3,200 a year less than those working secure jobs.

The report found that long-term insecure work is especially common in social care and retail sectors, as well as outsourced services like cleaning and security.

Bring on the workers’ rights deal

The Work Foundation is pushing the government to move forward with its new deal which is set to ban “exploitative practices” in workplaces and give more rights to workers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Labour have said all workers will be entitled to parental leave and sick pay from day one, while zero-hour contracts and unfair dismissal will be banned.

As part of the deal, unions will be given more rights to access and organise in workplaces to stand up for workers’ interests.

The government have pledged to bring out the deal in their first 100 days in government, which means they’ve got until mid-October to keep their word.  

Are you getting all the help you’re entitled?

Working unpredictable hours takes its toll – recent research by the University of Liverpool found that 65% of people working insecure jobs are forced to rely on food banks.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, you might be entitled to financial help. You can use our free benefits calculator to check whether you’re getting all the benefits you qualify for.

We also give free and impartial advice, and can put together a realistic budget you can stick to, to help you take control of your money. 

If you’re in arrears, we can advise you on debt solutions online or you can give us a ring. Some solutions are free, others have a fee.