ABSTRACT
The contemporary period has witnessed an increasing emphasis upon flexibility, both in terms of employment practices and the restructuring of welfare regimes in the European Union. This chapter considers the concept of flexibility and evidence for it. It also considers the value of a citizenship framework and a focus on decommodification. The chapter examines the implications of flexibility in practice within the UK. It focuses on 'negative' forms of flexible employment. The chapter highlightes the dangers of the current employment and welfare regime restructuring. It also focuses upon the interaction of the relations of gender, race and class, and demonstrates how some social groups are both excluded from employment rights, and simultaneously encouraged to enter low-quality flexible employment. Reviews of both contemporary theory and policy reveals an abundance of references to processes of change which both embody, facilitate and legitimize greater levels of flexibility.
