Exploring the various dimensions of autonomy in project-based work

Work that falls outside of what has been seen as ‘standard’ or ‘typical’ employment arrangements is a well acknowledged feature of modern labour markets with the growing virtualization of the workplace. What remains inconclusive is the ability to capture the common elements of these work arrangements. Our paper examines the notion of autonomy at work as one common element that may allow us to unravel the various components intertwined behind this taken-for-granted concept. Building on four contrasted case studies of autonomous workers in Belgium and in the US, we suggest at least three underlying dimensions must be distinguished: autonomy in work status, in work content and in working conditions. Combining these three dimensions provides the basis for an original analytical matrix that may assist policy makers, practitioners and autonomous workers themselves understand the specificities they face when either employing or working as nonstandard workers. A first quantitative test of the matrix is proposed using relevant data from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS).