What counts as insecure work?
Insecure work – sometimes described as precarious work – is employment that is unstable or unpredictable. Examples of insecure work include:
- Non-permanent work (casual, seasonal jobs, fixed-term and agency work)
- Unpredictable pay or hours
- Underemployed (less than 16 hours per week and wanting to work more)
- Zero-hours contracts (no specified minimum hours per week)
- Low paid self-employed / freelance work.
The impact of insecure work on young women
Young women are more likely to be affected by insecure work. Many young women find themselves in industries like hospitality, retail or care – sectors where unpredictable shifts and low wages are all too common. This often means dealing with last-minute shift changes, inconsistent pay, and the constant stress of not knowing what each week will bring.
Remember, these challenges don’t define your worth or ability. They are part of bigger problems in the workplace that need to change. It’s normal to feel stressed or stuck in these situations, but support is available. Understanding the issue is the first step towards change.
Do I have rights in insecure work?
Yes, even if your work feels uncertain, you still have rights. Insecure work doesn’t mean unprotected work. If you’re dealing with inconsistent pay, no sick leave, or even discrimination,it’s important to know that you have a right to fair treatment. For help understanding more about your rights at work, visit our Your Rights at Work page. If you’ve been treated unfairly or feel you’ve had your rights violated, our guide Discrimination: Your Rights and What to Do has practical advice on what to do next.
How can we make work fairer for young women?
Right now, the Government has an opportunity to change this through the Employment Rights Bill 2026 – a proposed new law aiming to upgrade employment rights in the UK, focusing on fairness, security, and wellbeing for workers such as through banning zero hour contracts and introducing better job security – but without proper funding to enforce these rights, the protections promised will continue to be violated by rogue employers.
Signing our open letter calling on the Chancellor to take action.
