Towards an understanding of the dynamics of work and employment relations during austerity

Abstract

This study considers how public sector organisations respond to the effects of austerity. While some organisations take advantage of austerity to increase the workload of employees with little or no engagement with employees, others encourage dialogue by increasing employee and union engagement. Drawing on a systematic analysis of 26 articles, the study finds that austerity policies have negative consequences for public sector employees and presents employee voice as a potential mitigator of the negative consequences. This study is one of the first to review the small but growing literature on the effects of austerity on work and employment relationship.