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Neo-villeiny and the service sector: the case of hyper flexible and precarious work in fitness centres

Geriant Harvey, Carl Rhodes, Sheena J Vachhani, Karen Williams

Work, Employment and Society, Volume: 31, Issue: 1, Pages: 19 - 35

Swansea University Author: Geriant Harvey

Abstract

This article presents data from a comprehensive study of hyper flexible and precarious work in theservice sector. A series of interviews were conducted with self-employed personal trainers alongwith more than 200 hours of participant observation within fitness centres in the UK. Analysis ofthe data...

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Published in: Work, Employment and Society
ISSN: 0950-0170 1469-8722
Published: 2017
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa44644
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Abstract: This article presents data from a comprehensive study of hyper flexible and precarious work in theservice sector. A series of interviews were conducted with self-employed personal trainers alongwith more than 200 hours of participant observation within fitness centres in the UK. Analysis ofthe data reveals a new form of hyper flexible and precarious work that is labelled neo-villeiny inthis article. Neo-villeiny is characterized by four features: bondage to the organization; payment ofrent to the organization; no guarantee of any income; and extensive unpaid and speculative workthat is highly beneficial to the organization. The neo-villeiny of the self-employed personal traineroffers the fitness centre all of the benefits associated with hyper flexible work, but also mitigatesthe detrimental outcomes associated with precarious work. The article considers the potential foradoption of this new form of hyper flexible and precarious work across the broader service sector.
Keywords: gig economy, hyper flexibility, neo-villeiny, non-standard work, precarious work, service sector,
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issue: 1
Start Page: 19
End Page: 35