Work intensification and work extensification

Andrew Smith and Jo McBride

Chapter 25 in Theories and Concepts in Work and Employment Relations, 2025, pp 220-227 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Work intensity and the extensification of working hours are central features of contemporary employment relations. They are integral to conceptualisations of the wage–effort bargain and are important areas in understanding the realities of work. This chapter articulates thematic developments of research on work intensification, which refers to the increasing pace and volume of work. The causal factors are critically assessed, which are primarily related to competitive pressures to minimise costs and maximise productivity and shareholder value. Combined with rising work intensity, there has been a long hours culture in the UK since the 1980s. Moreover, work extensification refers to the distribution of work across different temporalities and spatialities of work. The chapter outlines contemporary contributions regarding precarious workers on highly variable hours and zero hours contracts. Future avenues for research are offered: first, around the use of new technologies and the experiences of work; and, second, attempts to re-regulate work and employment in order to promote ‘decent work’.

Keywords: Decent work; Extensification; Intensification; Long working hours; Spatialities; Temporalities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035316199
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