Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households

David Lain; Laura Airey; Wendy Loretto; Sarah Vickerstaff

doi:10.51952/9781447340874.ch005

Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households

David Lain, Laura Airey, Wendy Loretto, Sarah Vickerstaff

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter develops a theoretical model for understanding ‘ontological precarity’ among older workers. Ontological precarity is caused by individuals feeling ‘trapped’ between precariousness in different domains of their lives. Individuals worry about the long-term sustainability of their ‘precarious employment’. This anxiety is enhanced by financial pressures to work longer in the context of diminishing financial support from a ‘precarious welfare state’ and from ‘precarious households’. The chapter presents case studies of three older hospitality workers, in order to illustrate how these different forms of precarity interact. It concludes by discussing policy implications and provides suggestions for how the framework could be used in future research.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Precarity and Ageing
Subtitle of host publication	Understanding Changing Forms of Risk and Vulnerability in Later Life
Editors	Amanda Grenier, Chris Phillipson, Richard A Settersten Jr
Publisher	Policy Press
Chapter	5
Pages	91-114
ISBN (Electronic)	9781447340881, 9781447340874
ISBN (Print)	9781447340850, 9781447340867
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447340874.ch005
Publication status	Published - 15 Jan 2020

Publication series

Name	Ageing in a Global Context
Publisher	Policy Press

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

older workers
ontological precarity
precariat
precarious work
retirement

Access to Document

10.51952/9781447340874.ch005

LainEtAl2020Chapter_OlderWorkersAndOntologicalPrecarity
This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of a chapter published in Precarity and Ageing: Understanding Insecurity and Risk in Later Life. Details of the definitive published version and how to purchase it are available online at: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/precarity-and-ageing
Accepted author manuscript, 0.98 MB

Cite this

Lain, D., Airey, L., Loretto, W., & Vickerstaff, S. (2020). Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households. In A. Grenier, C. Phillipson, & R. A. Settersten Jr (Eds.), Precarity and Ageing: Understanding Changing Forms of Risk and Vulnerability in Later Life (pp. 91-114). (Ageing in a Global Context). Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447340874.ch005

Lain, David ; Airey, Laura ; Loretto, Wendy et al. / Older workers and ontological precarity : Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households. Precarity and Ageing: Understanding Changing Forms of Risk and Vulnerability in Later Life. editor / Amanda Grenier ; Chris Phillipson ; Richard A Settersten Jr. Policy Press, 2020. pp. 91-114 (Ageing in a Global Context).

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Lain, D, Airey, L, Loretto, W & Vickerstaff, S 2020, Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households. in A Grenier, C Phillipson & RA Settersten Jr (eds), Precarity and Ageing: Understanding Changing Forms of Risk and Vulnerability in Later Life. Ageing in a Global Context, Policy Press, pp. 91-114. https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447340874.ch005

Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households. / Lain, David; Airey, Laura; Loretto, Wendy et al.
Precarity and Ageing: Understanding Changing Forms of Risk and Vulnerability in Later Life. ed. / Amanda Grenier; Chris Phillipson; Richard A Settersten Jr. Policy Press, 2020. p. 91-114 (Ageing in a Global Context).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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AB - This chapter develops a theoretical model for understanding ‘ontological precarity’ among older workers. Ontological precarity is caused by individuals feeling ‘trapped’ between precariousness in different domains of their lives. Individuals worry about the long-term sustainability of their ‘precarious employment’. This anxiety is enhanced by financial pressures to work longer in the context of diminishing financial support from a ‘precarious welfare state’ and from ‘precarious households’. The chapter presents case studies of three older hospitality workers, in order to illustrate how these different forms of precarity interact. It concludes by discussing policy implications and provides suggestions for how the framework could be used in future research.

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KW - ontological precarity

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KW - precarious work

KW - retirement

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SN - 9781447340867

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Lain D, Airey L, Loretto W, Vickerstaff S. Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households. In Grenier A, Phillipson C, Settersten Jr RA, editors, Precarity and Ageing: Understanding Changing Forms of Risk and Vulnerability in Later Life. Policy Press. 2020. p. 91-114. (Ageing in a Global Context). doi: 10.51952/9781447340874.ch005

Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Uncertain Futures: Managing Late-Career Transitions and Extended Working Life.

Older workers, precarity and extended working lives

Cite this

Older workers and ontological precarity: Between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Uncertain Futures: Managing Late-Career Transitions and Extended Working Life.

Activities

Older workers, precarity and extended working lives

Cite this