Impossible Choices: How Workers Manage Unpredictable Scheduling Practices. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alvarez, Camila H.; Loustaunau, Lola; Petrucci, Larissa; Scott, Ellen
• Is Part Of: Labor studies journal. Volume 45:Number 2(2020:Jun.)
• Page Start: 186
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: job quality -- nonstandard work -- scheduling -- work-family management -- unpredictable schedule; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; Labor unions -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- United States -- Periodicals; Labor unions -- United States -- Periodicals; Labor -- Periodicals; 331
• DOI: 10.1177/0160449X19835041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-449X

Abstract

A total of 16 percent of hourly workers and 36 percent of workers paid on some other basis experience unstable work schedules due to irregular, on-call, rotating, or split shifts, which negatively impact workers' ability to manage family responsibilities, finances, and health. Primarily drawing on data from in-depth interviews conducted in Oregon in 2016, this study expands research on how workers navigate through "bad jobs" by exploring the ways in which they respond in an attempt to manage the individual impacts of precarious work arrangements. We found that workers respond to unpredictable scheduling in four ways: they acquiesce, self-advocate, quit, or directly oppose employers. Our findings highlight the "impossible choices" workers face as they negotiate prevalent, unpredictable work conditions, juggle work-life obligations, and struggle to remain employed. We conclude with fair week, work policy recommendations.