Nonstandard Employment and Job Satisfaction across Time in China: Evidence from the Chinese General Social Survey (2006–2012)

Abstract

<jats:p> This study examines the association of nonstandard employment with job satisfaction over time in China. An analysis is carried out using the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), a large cross-sectional survey that collected data from over 3000 workers across different industries, ownership types and regions in China in 2006, 2008 and 2012. The empirical results show that in 2006, nonstandard employment workers, on average, were less satisfied with their jobs than their counterparts in standard employment, all else being equal. However, these differences in job satisfaction became very small and insignificant in 2008 and 2012. The results from the propensity score matching exercise provide a similar conclusion. These findings suggest that improvements in regulations and employment relations in China have increased job satisfaction for nonstandard employment workers. </jats:p>

Working time variation and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in China

“…Specifically, the negative association is found to be more pronounced among non-professional occupations compared to professional occupations. This finding highlights the differential vulnerability of individuals in different job sectors to the adverse effects of working time variation on mental health ( Nawakitphaitoon & Tang, 2020 ; Wu, 2019 ). It underscores the need for targeted interventions and support systems tailored to the specific challenges faced by non-professional workers, such as those in manual labor or service industries, to mitigate the negative impact on their mental well-being.…”

“…First, China has undergone rapid economic growth and significant changes in its labor market over the past few decades. The shift from traditional work structures to more flexible forms of employment has resulted in a wide range of working time variations, including irregular shifts, long working hours, and non-standard schedules ( Nawakitphaitoon & Tang, 2020 ). Examining the association between working time variation and mental health in China allows researchers to investigate the impact of these recent changes in work arrangements on employee well-being.…”

“…By including a wide range of job types, such as manufacturing, services, and professional sectors, researchers can capture variations in working conditions, job demands, and exposure to working time variation, enhancing the generalizability of the findings and allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship. Third, China's unique cultural and social context adds depth to the study of the association between working time variation and mental health ( Nawakitphaitoon & Tang, 2020 ; Wu, 2019 ). Traditional cultural values, such as strong work ethic and family-oriented priorities, may influence individuals' perceptions of working time variation and its impact on their mental well-being.…”

Do carer tasks predict carer employment? Evidence from the Survey of Adult Carers in England

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