Precarious Employment for Older Women and Health in Extended Working Lives: A Latent Class Approach

Elif Seyban , Tilburg University
Konrad Turek, Tilburg University
Mine Kühn, Tilburg University
Jeroen Vermunt, Tilburg University

Labour market flexibilization and population ageing are reshaping employment in later life, with many older adults remaining in work under increasingly insecure conditions. While both older men and women can experience precarious employment, women are disproportionately affected due to career interruptions and caregiving responsibilities that limit employment stability and advancement. Despite its growing relevance, precarious employment among older workers remains underexplored, often measured through single indicators rather than multidimensional frameworks. This study applies a comprehensive multidimensional measure of precarious employment based on five job-quality dimensions which are employment stability, work quality, material rewards, social security, and employability, using Wave 9 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A three-step latent class approach was applied: first, identifying patterns within each dimension; second, conducting higher-order clustering across all dimensions; and third, examining links with sociodemographic factors and mental health. Three overarching profiles emerged, Secure & Advantaged, Stable but Strained, and Precarious & Vulnerable, reflecting a continuum from stability to precarity. Women and low-educated workers were overrepresented in precarious clusters, and these groups also reported higher depressive symptoms. The findings highlight that precariousness in later life is not binary but multidimensional, shaped by gender, education, and age. By focusing on older workers, the study advances understanding of how precarious employment contributes to gendered and health inequalities in extended working lives, emphasizing the need for policies that promote not only longer but also more secure and dignified employment.

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 Presented in Session 42. Flash Session Work, Family Roles and Social Participation in Later Life