This article raises interesting challenges to current views on the UK's lauded labour market flexibility. The authors argue that, far from being the cause of a UK ‘jobs miracle’, flexibility in employment brings costs in job quality and productivity that are detrimental to individuals, society and the economy.

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Reviewed by

Jonny Gifford, former Senior Adviser for Organisational Behaviour, CIPD

Jonny’s work centred on conducting applied research in employment and people management, and strengthening links between academia and practice. He led the CIPD’s work on evidence-based HR and academic knowledge exchange.

Jonny is an Academic Member of the CIPD, a Fellow of the Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa), and a PhD candidate at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

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