Work on demand: Recurrence, effects and challenges

This report examines the issues in relation to ‘work on demand’, a topic that has received considerable attention in the media recently, mainly due to its links with the platform economy. Work on demand is often presented as a ‘win–win situation’: workers get to tailor their work according to their personal responsibilities outside work, while businesses can design their workforce according to their needs. However, this type of work, characterised as a non-standard form of employment, can have negative impacts on working conditions and business models. This study presents the findings on work on demand in 11 EU Member States and Norway where the prevailing situation is quite nuanced. The overarching European debate on precarious forms of work could support countries in devising measures and policies to address work on demand and its consequences for both workers and companies.