Formal and Informal Work: The Hidden Work Regime in Europe(Routledge Advances in Sociology)

Informal work – family care, voluntary work, and undeclared or unregulated work – is a critical form of labor in today’s economy, yet remains underanalyzed and examined. This volume develops a comprehensive conceptual framework of informal work and analyses systematically the relationship of formal and informal work. Using a coherent theoretical and methodological approach, this volume explores informal and formal work in six countries and contributes to our empirical knowledge of informal work and its different interrelations with formal work in various societies. A landmark study in the analysis of work, the book demonstrates how the relationship of formal and informal work is developing, how this can be explained in the specific context of the arrangement of work and welfare, and in which ways informal work possibly contributes to social integration and social cohesion.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Introduction to the Approach of the Book 1. The Development of Informal Work in the Work-Welfare Arrangements of European Societies Per H. Jensen, Birgit Pfau-Effinger & Lluís Flaquer 2. The Approach of the ‘Arrangement of Work and Welfare’ to the Cross-National Analysis of Formal and Informal Work Birgit Pfau-Effinger Part II: Formal and Informal Work in the Diverse Arrangements of Work and Welfare in European Societies 3. Formal and Informal Work in the Danish Social Democratic Welfare State Per H. Jensen & Jakob Rathlev 4. Formal and Informal Work in the Work-Welfare Arrangement of Finland Arja Jolkkonen, Riitta Kilpeläinen & Pertti Koistinen 5. Formal and Informal Work in the Work-Welfare Arrangement of Germany Birgit Pfau-Effinger & Sladana Sakac Magdalenic 6. Formal and Informal Work in a Liberal Regime – The Case of Britain Traute Meyer & Graham Baxendale 7. The Metamorphosis of Informal Work in Spain: Family Solidarity, Female Immigration and Development of Social Rights Lluís Flaquer & Anna Escobedo 8. Formal and Informal Work in a Transition Country: The Case of Poland Aleksander Surdej & Ewa Slezak Part III: Comparative Perspective 9. Formal and Informal Work in European Societies – A Comparative Perspective Birgit Pfau-Effinger, Per H. Jensen & Lluís Flaquer

About the Author :
Birgit Pfau-Effinger is Professor of Sociology at the University of Hamburg. Lluis Flaquer is Professor of Sociology at Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Per H. Jensen is Professor of Sociology at Aalborg University.

Review :
'This is an interesting and highly informative book, providing important insights into the nature of informal work in Europe today. Undeclared, informal work has previously been viewed as a phenomenon associated with the developing countries but, as the book reveals, it is also widespread in the Western countries....The book also makes a major contribution to understanding informal care-giving by women, and it shows that policies are badly needed to supplement and reward these activities. The book is thoroughly researched, well grounded in theory and is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in issues of employment and work today.'-James Midgley, University of California, Berkley in Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare