Is Job Insecurity On The Rise? Evidence From Canadian Perception Data

Is Job Insecurity On The Rise? Evidence From CanadianPerception Data Eric Martin, Nicholas Sherwin, Kurtis Holmes, Lyndsay Barnes

General Overview • Looks at the perception of worker insecurity in Canada • This paper is different as it looks at a larger amounts of data leading to more accurate conclusions

General Overview Cont’d • Paper offers two major contributions to the literature • Differences across groups • Perceived changes in job security

General Overview Cont’d • Based on the input data used, the authors can look at levels of job security among different groups in society • New findings on groups of individuals • Low-skilled male workers • Union workers

Data • Sources of data: Canadian Gallup Poll (CGP) & Gallup International’s Voice of the People Survey

Empirical Analysis • Major Changes in the workforce from 1977-2006 (rising education levels, ageing of the workforce and increased participation of women, etc.)

Empirical Analysis Cont’d • Job Insecurity and Gender • Unions • Different job types

Results & Findings • No strong evidence of structural change • Changes in perceived insecurity is cyclical • Evidence in age profile • Low-skilled male workers • Educated workers • Union members

Further Exploration • Use probit models to explain differences between groups and time periods • Sub-groups • Gender • Human Capital Model • Education • Union

Further Exploration Cont’d • Sub- Periods • Between 1977-1997 and 1998-2004 • Probit model examines these periods against university graduates and high school or less

Potential Policy Impacts • Policy needs to be directed for long-term • Employment policy should focus on job characteristics • Union effectiveness and relationship needs to be reconsidered

Is Job Insecurity On The Rise? Evidence From Canadian Perception Data