Employment in Precarious Times: Coping Strategies and Emotional Imprints. An Introduction

Sažetak

The social sciences and humanities have devoted considerable attention to the growing precariousness of labour relations, as well as to its wider implications for the culture of everyday life. Precarity is increasingly understood not only as a condition of employment but also as a broader social experience that shapes people's identities, aspirations, interpersonal relations, and sense of security. The common concern that brought together the contributions in this thematic section was the need to reconsider the intersections among anthropology, labour, morality, and emotional well-being. By examining these interconnections, the authors explore how precarious working conditions are produced and reproduced, how they become embedded in workers’ everyday lives, and how individuals navigate uncertainty and make sense of their lived experiences under such conditions. In particular, this collection seeks to highlight two concepts that are closely linked to precarious labour yet are often analysed in isolation: coping strategies and emotional imprints. Bringing these concepts into dialogue enables a more nuanced understanding of how people both respond to and are shaped by the material and affective consequences of precarious work.

Ključne riječi: precariousness, coping strategies, emotional imprints