Work

The hidden costs of flexibility: A comparative study of OHS outcomes in using temporary agency work

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article addresses a gap in comparative research regarding the role of organisational factors in shaping occupational health and safety (OHS) outcomes when using temporary agency work (TAW). Using the Economic Pressures–Work Disorganisation–Regulatory Failure (PDR) framework, the article applies a comparative case study approach to analyse OHS outcomes in two sites of one multinational company. The findings reveal how differences in organisational practices embedded in different institutional contexts shape TAW use, influencing exposure to work-related injuries and exhaustion. These effects are particularly evident in the context of workforce segmentation, where trade-offs and unintended consequences emerge for the user firm.

Source: Economic and Industrial Democracy

DOI: 10.1177/0143831x251332174

Authors: Pille Strauss-Raats, Dragoș Adăscăliței

Institutions: Karolinska Institutet, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650