The Politics of Unpaid Labour

'By showing how class-based power dynamics underlie individuals' work-related motivations and meanings, this volume breaks new ground in providing a nuanced account of how unpaid labor perpetuates precarious work and inequality.' * Arne L. Kalleberg, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Sociology, University of South Carolina at Chapel Hill *
'Unpaid labour, this book shows, may either increase employability or arrest workers in precarious jobs, depending on available resources. To make labour markets more equitable, public policy must address their unequal distribution.' * Wolfgang Streeck, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne *
'This book is a revelation. It extends analysis of unpaid labour to offer a truly novel theorization of uncompensated work by both employees and freelancers. Along the way, it innovatively reformulates a broader theory of labour markets. Bravo!' * Chris Tilly, UCLA University of California, Latin American Institute, Los Angeles *
'This theoretically ground-breaking analysis reveals the significance of unpaid labour performed by those working 'freelance' and employees in a variety of service provision relationships. Drawing on detailed original research in three occupations, Valeria Pulignano, co-author and collaborators throw new light on the multiple inequities affecting already precarious forms of work.' * Miriam Glucksmann, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Essex *
'The pressure to perform unpaid labour has hit self-employed workers with particular force. This magisterial book draws attention to the extent and the nature of this problem, showing how inequality and precarity are woven into the working lives of a substantial fraction of the labour force. The book will inspire debate among labour scholars in many disciplines for years to come.' * Steven P. Vallas, Emeritus Professor Sociology, Northeastern University, Boston *
'This book breaks new ground in understanding precarious work, making two key contributions. Firstly, it links individual decisions to wider power structures, exposing how inequalities by social class are reinforced. Secondly, it reveals that platform work goes beyond mere transactions, as workers mimic idealized labour market behaviors without the security of a standard employment relationship. A must-read for anyone interested in understanding modern labour challenges.' * Jill Rubery, Professor of Comparative Employment Systems at Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester *
'Drawing on in-depth interviews and content analysis of diaries, these studies reveal how workers struggle with the image of the “ideal worker” at the same time as they often compromise their quality of life to perform work that they find meaningful and affirming of their dignity. Thus, this book powerfully illuminate conditions that produce and sustain gender and class inequality and alienation among workers.' * Michèle Lamont, author of Seeing Others: How Recognition Works and How it Heals a Divided World *
'Unpaid Labour has been a marginalized research theme in the sociology of work. Valeria Pulignano, co-author and contributors provide a timely and thought-provoking intervention that illuminates the nature and consequences of Unpaid Labour. Indeed, this book is a prime example of cutting-edge sociological research that offers a thick analysis of the many faces of Unpaid Labour and how they are embedded in different national institutions and socio-economic conditions. Highly recommended for Academics and Policy Makers alike.' * Knut Laaser, Research on Management, Work and Organisation at the University of Stirling and Author of The Politics of Working Life and Meaningful Waged Work *