Who is safe at work? Problematizing employment volatility during the 2008-2018 Spanish socioeconomic crisis from a critical occupational perspective

Abstract

Introduction: The Spanish socioeconomic crisis context has repercussions on the population’s work conditions, which generates instability and workers’ fear of losing their job. Despite the recent research which addresses the work as an occupation in Critical Occupational Therapy and Science, little is known about the volatility of employment regarding the employment instability situated in contextual changes. Objectives: To explore the relationship between employment volatility, participation in daily occupations, and the health and wellbeing of industry workers during the Spanish socioeconomic crisis. Method: A narrative qualitative methodology was conducted. Two open interviews and a personal diary were used as data generation methods. Two experiences were analyzed by adopting a thematic analysis. Results: Three thematic categories illustrate how workers orchestrate their occupations in a context of employment volatility and situate the multidimensional context of work in such circumstances as restrictive occupational opportunities. Uncertainty generates a normalized instability in daily life, which impact occupational choices, health, and wellbeing. In addition, participants reflect on future perspectives of work associated with precarity and resignation. Conclusions: The study of the employment volatility contributes to broadening the conceptualization of work as an occupation and contribute to the development of occupational justice-based practices.