Classics and the Precariat

WHEN I (CHIARA) TOOK UP MY POSITION at Vanderbilt in 2016, I was given a one-year contract. Since I teach at a well-resourced university, there was a network of child care centers where I could enroll my child—a nice perk that many academic jobs do not include. While those with full-time or tenure-stream positions may not have had to worry about health insurance coverage or paid sick leave (Douglas-Gabriel 2020), questions continue to abound over hiring, pay freezes or cuts (Woolston 2021), parental leave policies and tenure clock extensions, as colleges and universities have scrambled to develop clear and equitable responses to the crisis. [...]the grand revelation of COVID is that, in the words of Chris Caterine, author of Leaving Academia, "All faculty are contingent.” For this reason, programs should be encouraged to work toward converting long-term contingent faculty members into tenured or tenure-track hires whenever possible, or to ensure that contingent positions have as much security and permanence as possible through the use of longer-term contracts.

Effects of Spatial Characteristics on Non-Standard Employment for Canada's Immigrant Population

Using microdata from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey (LFS) and Population Census, this paper explores how spatial characteristics are correlated with temporary employment outcomes for Canada's immigrant population. Results from ordinary least square regression models suggest that census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations (CMAs/CAs) characterized by a high share of racialized immigrants, immigrants in low-income, young, aged immigrants, unemployed immigrants, and immigrants employed in health and service occupations were positively associated with an increase in temporary employment for immigrants. Furthermore, findings from principal component regression models revealed that a combination of spatial characteristics, namely CMAs/CAs characterized by both a high share of unemployed immigrants and immigrants in poverty, had a greater likelihood of immigrants being employed temporarily. The significance of this study lies in the spatial conceptualization of temporary employment for immigrants that could better inform spatially targeted employment policies, especially in the wake of the structural shift in the nature of work brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resilience Through Retirement

The transition from career to retirement can be a time of tremendous opportunity, growth, frustration, disappointment, and everything in between. Despite the necessary adjustments, individuals can and do display resilience, or an ability to adapt despite challenging circumstances. This article explores aspects of this transition to retirement including finances, emotions, and more, through the lens of a resilient retiree. Additional areas of future research are outlined and discussed.

Characteristics of the Hungarian labour market during the coronavirus crisis

Start of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 has brought about substantial changes in the labour market. The aim of the article is to summarize effects of the pandemic on employment based on analyses available, and to show the changes in indicators in the Hungarian labour market. A comparison with the European Union relevant figures helps to better understand the processes in the country. The switch to work at home or telework, the decline in the employment level and the increase in the level of unemployment in terms of age groups and geographical areas had considerably different features in the three waves of the pandemic. The aggregate labour market indicators do not reflect the extent of the shock to employment as they ignore the consequences of the widely used short-time work, and that many redundant employees were less willing to register as unemployed.

Organizational interventions towards achieving gender equality at the corporate top: a multiple case study approach

Purpose>The aim of this article is twofold: (1) to identify gender equality organizational interventions implemented by a selected number of Dutch companies to increase the number of women at the corporate top and (2) to identify how these interventions overcome barriers to women's advancement and contribute to more women at the corporate top.Design/methodology/approach>A comparative case study method was applied through conducting qualitative research. The research was conducted at four large Dutch companies.Findings>The research identified 23 organizational interventions that were classified in four categories. The cross-case analysis focuses on specific themes, such as the type of interventions, the identified barriers, the successfulness of the interventions and factors contributing to increasing the number of women at the corporate top. The research shows that top-level commitment to this topic is important for the success of interventions and for increasing the number of women at the corporate top and throughout the rest of the organization. Some of the barriers could be overcome by the interventions identified.Practical implications>This research provides companies with better insight into the quality and quantity of gender equality organizational interventions implemented by Dutch companies to increase the number of women at the corporate top. It can assist them in deciding which interventions could be implemented in order to achieve gender equality at their corporate top.Originality/value>The research provides in-depth insight into the types and number of implemented gender equality organizational interventions for women at the corporate top and into the results and perceived effectiveness of such interventions.

UN REGARD HISTORIQUE SUR LE TRAVAIL INDÉPENDANT DES FEMMES EN FRANCE À L'AUBE DE LA CRISE SANITAIRE DU COVID-19

La pandémie de Covid-19 a impacté sanitairement, économiquement et socialement les individus dans tous les pays du monde. Les conséquences liées aux mesures prophylactiques ont ralenti ou arrêté l'économie mondiale, les marchés du travail nationaux et, in fine, la condition des femmes. Dans un contexte national moins favorable aux femmes, il leur est toujours difficile d'obtenir une double indépendance familiale et professionnelle. Être conjoint-collaborateur, aide familiale, micro-entrepreneuse, pluriactive, travailleuse indépendante, chef d'entreprise, voire employeuse ne donne pas le même statut social et économique. La disparité entre les genres dans les sphères privées et professionnelles se ressent davantage dans un environnement inédit de restrictions des possibles. Contrairement aux précédentes crises économiques, la crise sanitaire a touché massivement des secteurs féminins, impactant plus les femmes, malgré les politiques publiques d'aides financières. Les femmes ont été davantage en première ligne dans les activités de soin (care) professionnel, mais également de soin (care) privé, en supportant une charge domestique encore plus élevée. Le travail indépendant n'est pas la solution miraculeuse, qu'il soit complet ou d'appoint, même s'il peut donner l'illusion d'une autonomie financière et d'une émancipation familiale.Alternate :The Covid-19 pandemic has had health, economic and social impacts on individuals in every country in the world. The consequences of prophylactic measures have slowed or stopped the global economy, national labour markets and women's rights. In a national context that is less favourable to women, the latter still struggle to achieve dual family and professional independence. Being a collaborating spouse, a family helper, a micro-entrepreneur, a multi-tasker, a self-employed woman, a CEO or an employer does not give the same social and economic status. Gender disparity in the private and professional spheres is further felt in an unprecedented environment of restricted possibilities. Unlike previous economic crises, the health crisis has massively affected women's sectors, impacting women more despite public policies of financial support. Women have been in the forefront of professional care activities and also of private care, bearing an even higher domestic burden. Self-employment is not a miracle solution, whether it is full or part-time, even if it can give the illusion of financial independence and family emancipation.

PHYSICIANS AND THE GIG ECONOMY

Because a two-week quarantine is recommended for those who have been infected with COVID-19, telemedicine tools give physicians the opportunity to check on patients to ensure they are recovering without additional health concerns or complications. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 75 percent of medical school students in the class of 2018 graduated with an average loan debt of $196,520, which included debt from medical school, undergraduate studies, and other higher education expenses.4 With a $197,000 student loan balance, a young doctor on average would owe $2,212 a month on the standard, 10-year federal repayment plan, (assuming a 6.25 percent average interest rate). While the benefits for patients were outside the scope of our report, other studies have shown that patients benefit from more flexible access to physicians via telemedicine, especially for routine medical questions and checkups, mental health care, and post-natal care. With the increased use of telemedicine tools, patients get "on-demand" access to care, which means that parents with a question about their infant can conveniently connect with their physician, as can a full-time professional who must fit mental health care around a busy work schedule.

A trio of teacher education voices: developing professional relationships through co-caring and belonging during the pandemic

Purpose>This research is situated at a metropolitan university in Melbourne (Australia) where the authors work in initial teacher education programs within the same faculty. The purpose of this study is to raise awareness that collegial, collaborative and “co-caring” environments can foster an improved sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion in the academy. They also argue that communities of practice may foster an improved sense of belonging that enhances empowerment and harmony among all staff in academia in pandemic times and beyond.Design/methodology/approach>The authors draw on case study methodology as a qualitative approach to understand and illuminate the phenomena under study. Case study methodology provides an in-depth understanding of their trifocal voices, as it allows them to voice their stories through collaborative autoethnography. The authors use self-narratives to unpack their sense of belonging in academic spaces. Collaborative autoethnography (CAE) enabled them to work together as a team of women and as a community of researchers.Findings>The findings foreground the responsibilities of casual staff while concomitantly articulating the challenges faced by both permanent and casual staff to create a “sense of belonging” in the academy. The authors found that social connection engenders a sense of belonging and inclusion within a space that is often beset by neoliberal ideologies of competitiveness and individual achievement. They articulate their stress, pressure and uncertainty as permanent and as casual academics working supportively to develop and maintain identity in very difficult circumstances. They share how they developed professional relationships which bring unforeseen benefits and personal friendship at a time of especially restrictive practices.Research limitations/implications>The paper includes three voices, a limitation in itself, thus generalisations cannot be made to other academics or institutions. Employing CAE offers the possibility of delving more deeply into the emotional complexities inherent within this method for further research. They recommend a sense of “co-caring” as a form of pastoral care in the “induction program” for all academics including casual staff. While this may not “strategically” fit in with many because of power imbalances, the journey of co-caring and sharing and building friendships within the academy has a limited presence in the literature and calls for further investigation.Practical implications>The authors draw attention to the need for higher education institutes to recognise the role permanent staff play when working with casual academics.Social implications>The authors draw attention to the need to be inclusive and collaborative as a way to improve the divide and strengthen connections between permanent and casual academics at university worksites. This is imperative given the shifting demographics within Australia and its workforce. They also highlight issues of race in the academy.Originality/value>This is an original work carried out by the authors. It raises concerns about a sense of belonging in the academy, job certainty and the place of people of colour as these issues may also be experienced by other full-time and casual academics.

Underemployment and its Implications

The purpose of present study is to examine the effect of underemployment on individual, organisation, family and the whole community. Underemployment is an acute form of labor underutilization which negatively affects the whole economy. As compared to unemployment, it has received far less attention than it deserves. But with the outset of the COVID-19, it has become the major concern for most of the countries across the globe. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of underemployment and its implications. The findings reveal that both visible and invisible kinds of underemployment, not only impact the psychological well-being of individuals but they also affect their relationship with family, organisation and the whole society.

MODEL OF OVERCOMING THE CRISIS IN BULGARIA CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC

This article considers a possibility of creating a sustainable model that would help overcome the specific crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It attempts to analyse these processes while taking into consideration their unpredictable nature. Analysing the available statistical and operational data the author looks for an opportunity to create a relatively accurate model for overcoming the crisis resulting from the pandemic. The possible solutions are divided into three groups: political, social and economic.

COVID-19 and day labourers in the South African economy: The impact on their lives and livelihoods

COVID-19 and day labourers in the South African economy: The impact on lives and livelihoods The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is currently reverberating throughout the South African economy -- including the informal economy and those on the brink of the formal economy, such as day labourers. Even before the start of the pandemic, the South African economy was already in an extremely vulnerable position due to a number of multidimensional factors, for example the global financial crisis of 2008 as well as a decade of corruption and looting of state resources. Day labourers are particularly vulnerable to exogenous shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this background, the aim of the overview study was to place the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the living conditions of informal workers such as day labourers on the research agenda. The methodology was twofold. Firstly, the only available nationally representative database from a study by Blaauw (2010) on activities of day labourers in South Africa was used as a summary starting point with regard to the socio-economic position of day labourers. Secondly, in the second part of the analysis we used the latest available research information on changes in the day labour market to identify the factors that have changed the socio-economic conditions of day labourers in South Africa in the last decade. The possible short-, medium- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was discussed against this background. The results of the starting point analysis among day labourers in South Africa confirm that in 2008 the day labourers in the Western Cape and Gauteng were comparatively better off than the day labourers in some of South Africa's less prosperous provinces. Their wages were higher in all the income variables that were part of the study. Despite this relatively better situation, even day labourers in the strongest possible position were still vulnerable with low and uncertain income levels, the risk of not always being able to provide for them and their dependants' needs, and an inability to plan ahead as a precaution against future exogenous economic shocks. These shocks did indeed come. Since 2008, macroeconomic shocks such as the global financial crisis and a declining mining and construction industry have put the day labour market under further pressure. A decade of looting and mismanagement of the South African economy as well as a third wave of cross-border migration led to a further deterioration of the day labour market's ability to meet the material needs of tens of thousands of day labourers in South Africa. Increased unemployment as well as declining real and reservation wages among day labourers occurred across all provinces in South Africa, and studies in East London, Tshwane, Emalahleni, Mbombela, Cape Town and Paarl clearly show the deteriorating socioeconomic conditions of day labourers in the last decade (Theodore, Pretorius, Blaauw & Schenck, 2018;Mapendere, 2019;Xweso, 2019;Schenck, Blaauw & Matthee, 2020;Smith, 2020). Day labourers' vulnerability has therefore deteriorated dramatically since 2008 and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has created the perfect storm in the day labour market. The COVID-19 pandemic has left tens of thousands of day labourers facing the real prospect of economic hardship and starvation and a desperate need for help. Day labourers are in fact worse off than the informal self-employed, such as informal reclaimers, who have at least a voice through industry organisations such as Plastics SA, the South African Waste Pickers Association or the African Reclaimers Organisation. The South African Government has announced measures to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. Theoretically, many of the day labourers could have benefited from the COVID-19 Social Emergency Relief Grant of R350 per month that has been paid to the unemployed since President Ramaphosa's announcement on 21 April 2020. However, this payment came to an end in April 2021. The short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal workers and day labourers was therefore nothing short of catastrophic. In the medium term, further pressure is likely to be put on the day labour market due to the many people who have lost or are about to lose their formal jobs because of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A resultant oversupply of day labourers will have a further devastating effect on day labourers' lives and livelihoods -- even after the pandemic has been brought under control. Day labourers' reservation wages will be pushed even lower due to day labourers' desperation to be able to work at all. This negative impact could be further exacerbated in the long run as thousands of pupils, who are currently dropping out of school in the midst of the pandemic, will have no choice (other than crime) but to turn to the informal day job market. The situation in the day labour market is therefore already critical and can only have further devastating consequences for the social order and social cohesion in South Africa. South African society urgently needs to reflect on these issues. The riots and looting in July 2021 are prima facie proof that the social order is already under tremendous pressure. Academics also have a role to play in the process of reflection and reconsideration. There is an urgent need for nationwide research on the day labour market and other forms of informal employment and self-employment. New nationwide data (using a similar methodology), as well as other forms of participatory research, are needed to gain an understanding of the impact of the events of the past ten years on the lives and livelihoods of informal wage earners. A crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the plight of the marginalised and vulnerable in South Africa's unequal society. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie was reeds voor die COVID-19-pandemie in 'n benarde posisie. Dagloners en andere in die informele ekonomie was struktureel selfs meer kwesbaar vir so 'n eksogene skok. Die doel van hierdie oorsigstudie was om die impak van die COVID-19- pandemie op die lewensomstandighede van dagloners op die navorsingsagenda te plaas. 'n Oorsig van tersaaklike elemente uit die enigste nasionaal verteenwoordigende databasis van dagloners, afkomstig vanuit die Blaauw (2010) studie, in Suid-Afrika, was die vertrekpunt. Daarna is die jongste beskikbare navorsingsinligting oor veranderinge in die daglonermark gebruik om die moontlike kort-, medium- en langtermynimpak van die pandemie te bespreek. In 2008 was die dagloners in die Wes-Kaap en Gauteng se loonvlakke hoër as dié van die dagloners in die res van Suid-Afrika. Selfs dagloners in hierdie twee provinsies was steeds kwesbaar met lae en onsekere inkomstevlakke. Sedert 2008 het makro-ekonomiese faktore en 'n derde golf van oorgrensmigrasie 'n verdere verswakking in dagloners se posisie meegebring. Die vraag na hul arbeid het verminder en reële lone het in verskeie stede gedaal. Die COVID-19-pandemie het dagloners op die kort termyn voor hongersnood te staan gebring. Die talle mense wat vanweë die pandemie hul formele werk verloor het of nog gaan verloor sal die daglonermark onder verdere druk plaas. Die minimum loonvlak waarvoor dagloners bereid is om te werk, sal selfs verder daal. In die lang termyn kan duisende van die leerlinge wat hul skoolopleiding te midde van die pandemie staak ook dagloners word, met rampspoedige gevolge vir die maatskaplike bestel in Suid-Afrika. (Afrikaans) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe is the property of Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap & Kuns and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Barriers in Times of Digital Teaching and Learning -- A German Case Study: Challenges and Recommendations for Action

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised significant challenges for universities. Digital inclusion "of all learners regardless of their circumstances, learning prerequisites and needs" is a major challenge (Walgenbach, Compes & Lambrich 2019: 9, authors' translation). Starting with accessibility and related concepts such as digital inclusion and digital divide, we intend to create a wider view of barriers in the context of digital teaching and learning. Barriers in online learning environments also arise for people who have previously studied without any barriers (e.g. technical equipment is missing, lack of digital skills). New barriers have been added, and others have been mitigated. For example, the compatibility of family and work has improved in part through asynchronous online formats (Knoblich 2020;Hassel 2020). Digital teaching and learning should enable students to expand their study opportunities and flexibility, not limit them (Traus et al. 2020). This article addresses these and other challenges by quantitatively surveying students and lecturers at the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences about the digital "Corona Semester". As the results show, a barrier rarely comes alone -- students who face one barrier in the digital semester also face others. The article provides initial strategies for dealing with new barriers. Our findings point to a low-barrier learning design and financial or technical support measures. We conclude by pointing out that the establishment of a culture of openness is important if we are to support every student in the learning process in the best possible way and enable (digital) participation and learning.

Precarious but popular? The German mini-job scheme in comparative research on work and welfare

This review paper critically examines a range of analytical frameworks used to analyse the German mini-job scheme in comparative research on work and welfare. The approaches examined include labour market dualisation in comparative political economy research and welfare-to-work policies in comparative social policy research. The paper claims that using stylized facts instead of a thorough understanding of the broader context of national employment and social systems leads to misinterpretations in terms of policy learning. By describing the institutional context and main drivers of the evolution of mini-jobs over time, based on variety of data sources, statistics and empirical studies, the paper addresses the critical role of this specific employment scheme for gender equality, largely ignored in the comparative literature.