Flexibilitetens frammarsch, en studie om den intermittenta anställningen

Sammanfattning

Flexible working conditions is used extensively in organizations today as a way to

create flexibility for the employer. Recently we’ve been reading in the newspapers

that this approach is a growing problem and the EU has warned Sweden twice that

abuse of these forms of employment must be stopped. The Government has recently

submitted a proposed rule change to reduce the possibility of stacking one temporary

contract after another. Borlänge kommun makes themselves more flexible with the

intermittent employments. This study aims to examine why infrequent employments,

such as the intermittent employment is used and preferred by Borlänge kommun and

how it’s perceived by affected employees in the organization. The questions related,

besides why the intermittent employment is used by the organization and how its

perceived by those involved, also includes the management of intermittent

employment and how the organization is handling work contracts. The background

information on the employment law implications gives the reader an insight into how

the regulatory framework works surrounding the topic. The theory section highlights

the main theories about flexibility and its different shapes and perspectives. For the

study a qualitative approach is used. A case study with semi-structured interviews was

performed. The respondents were employees involved in the staffing of intermittent

employees and also members of the staff with an intermittent employment. The

results show that the employment and contracts is correctly handled by labour law

regulations. This study shows that Borlänge kommun uses intermittent employments

extensively, with its 1 320 intermittently employees. If this is abuse, or not, is not

clear from the result. The authors discuss, however, if that is the case. The

intermittent employment is used mainly because of the great needs. This is because

society is changing and the average age is increasing, both by those using the services

and the employees. All respondents perceive the intermittent employment as most

flexible for the employees. Respondents working in the staffing department say that

they are not flexible enough. The intermittent employees? working today does not

cover the great need. Borlänge kommun think that the flexibility should benefit them

more and is currently trying to become more flexible. The employees were generally

satisfied with their work situation. Some tendencies of insecurity and uncertainty

could be inferred from the intermittent employees answers. The author’s conclusions

are that flexibility and the intermittent employment contracts mainly benefit the

employer and the employees who actively choose this type of work, such as students.

This kind of employment affects, however, the society and those who need a secure

lifestyle. The necessary permanent contracts are becoming fewer and replaced by

precarious and flexible employment conditions.