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The Changing Nature of Work and Employment in Developed Countries

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Handbook of Disability, Work and Health

Part of the book series: Handbook Series in Occupational Health Sciences ((HDBSOHS,volume 1))

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Abstract

The current public debate about the future of labor in developed countries is characterized by the role of human work in the course of globalization and vast technological changes. While the severe extent of automation is not observed by empirical studies, there probably will be significant changes in the structure of jobs and strengthened inequalities between socioeconomic groups. In this regard, public policy is of decisive importance to shape the quality of jobs and to encounter possible aberrations. The institutions should be aimed at allowing an appropriate balance between flexibility and security as well as achieving a fair distribution of opportunities and risks in the labor market and access to employment. It is essential to focus on the protection of workers instead of jobs themselves and to develop both superior contractual and social protection for non-standard workers. Additionally, investments in human capital for all types of education and in continuous training are the foundation for future employability.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IZA and University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Werner Eichhorst

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  1. Werner Eichhorst
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Correspondence to Werner Eichhorst .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen Department of Health Sciences, Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Ute Bültmann

  2. Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldo Medizinische Fakultät, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Johannes Siegrist

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Eichhorst, W. (2019). The Changing Nature of Work and Employment in Developed Countries. In: Bültmann, U., Siegrist, J. (eds) Handbook of Disability, Work and Health. Handbook Series in Occupational Health Sciences, vol 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75381-2_1-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75381-2_1-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-75381-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-75381-2

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