The School of Labour Studies at McMaster University in partnership with the United Way of Toronto and several other community organizations is studying the relationship between precarious employment and household and community well-being. Precarious employment includes workers in temporary jobs, day labourers, those who work through temporary employment agencies, part-time workers and those who are self-employed.
We are asking you to complete the short survey below from which we will select candidates to interview. The information from those not selected will not be used and will be destroyed. We appreciate your taking the time to do this, but must caution you that not all individuals who complete this survey will be selected.
Those selected for interviews will receive an honorarium of $40.00.
The principal investigators are Wayne Lewchuk from McMaster’s School of Labour Studies and Michelynn Lafleche from the United Way Toronto. This is an independent research project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Purpose of the project:
• Investigate the relationship between precarious employment and household and community well
being.
• Use the results to deepen our understanding of poverty in our cities and to shape policy debate.
• Make public the final results of the study.
Procedure if selected to participate:
• If selected, you will be asked to participate in an interview and to complete a survey. You are free to
refuse to respond to questions you would rather not answer. The entire process should take 90
minutes. The interview will be arranged at a time and location that is convenient for you.
• We will ask questions about the nature of your employment relationship and how this impacts
household wellbeing and community participation.
• With your permission we will record your interview.
Risks and benefits:
• You will not benefit directly from your participation, beyond the compensation of $40 to those we
select to be interviewed.
• There is a small risk that you might find some of the questions regarding your employment situation
embarrassing.
• There are no other foreseeable risks for people participating in this study.
• What we learn may benefit you and others in the future.
Privacy and confidentiality:
• All the information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential. It will be stored in locked
cabinets and destroyed upon completion of the project.
• We will use data only in ways that ensure you cannot be identified.
Refusal or withdrawal:
• Your participation in this study is voluntary.
• You may withdraw during or after the interview without adverse consequences. The agreed
honorarium will be provided if you withdraw.
Please complete the following form which will help us to select candidates that match our study objectives.