NIOSH: Research on Non-Standard Work Arrangements Needed
A new draft National Occupational Research Agenda published by NIOSH details gaps in research related to the safety, health, and well-being of workers with non-standard work arrangements. According to NIOSH, this type of work—characterized by impermanence, instability, and unpredictable work hours—has accounted for much of the employment growth in the U.S. during the past two decades. Workers with non-standard work arrangements include contingent workers, subcontracted workers, “gig” workers, independent contractors, and part-time workers. Many of these workers often lack legal protections and employer-sponsored benefits, and current occupational safety and health surveillance systems do not adequately capture information about adverse health outcomes associated with non-standard work arrangements. NIOSH urges the development of surveillance methods that measure the prevalence and characteristics of non-standard work.
NIOSH invites comments on the draft agenda until May 13, 2019. Instructions for accessing the agenda and submitting comments are available in the Federal Register notice.
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