Tackling precarious work through work and organizational psychology: it’s work but not as we know it

Scholarly research interest in precarious work is on the rise; however, contributions from Work and Organisational Psychology (WOP) remain in their infancy. This may be because precarious work often exists outside of traditional workplaces, which are the mainstay of WOP research and practice. Presenting a case for the importance of a WOP perspective on precarious work, we draw on historical developments on the topic and highlight key areas for WOP contribution. We illustrate the importance of a multilevel and contextualised conceptualisation of precarious work, which can only be understood through multi-stakeholder collaboration (praxis). We propose a need for radical and transformative structural change, which centres on human values and highlights the subjective experiences of affected people, their families, and communities. In doing so we aim to stimulate future WOP research and practice that impacts policy and shapes work in a way that enhances the social good.