Seeing the forest for the trees: A response to commentaries on job insecurity conceptualizations, processes and social context

Abstract

We are grateful for the two commentaries on our lead article on job insecurity, its psychological repercussions and broader social context, which provide important additions, as well as impetus to refine and clarify our arguments. In this rejoinder, we respond to the most important points raised by the commentators: we refine our conceptualization of job insecurity, challenge the idea of job insecurity as a motivator and discuss the role of employees' immediate social context at the meso-level, as well as theoretical explanations for the fundamental mechanisms of job insecurity. We conclude by emphasizing once more the political significance of job insecurity, as well as the need for evidence-based interventions to address its root causes.