ABSTRACT
Simply distinguishing permanent from non-permanent employment is out of date, as there is a great deal of variation in contracts both within and across countries. Defining and categorizing contract types is thus a huge challenge for researchers, especially so when the aim is cross-national comparison. This chapter deals with these problems by arguing first for a definition and second for a classification fitting both country-specific and cross-national research. However, empirical data are only interpretable when placed in the perspective of the focus population, i.e. non-permanent workers. The chapter discusses facts and figures on non-permanent employment, highlighting its role, evolution and use in Europe and its member states. In research and across societies, one often refers to a standard form of employment, defined by three dimensions: full-time employment, of unlimited duration and with a single employer. The chapter focuses on contract duration as the core dimension, thereby comparing permanent to non-permanent employment.
