During the last two decades there has been widespread evidence of change in specific aspects of employing organizations, employment and employment related institutions.

Changing Forms of Employment looks at the underlying trends which generate pressures towards a fundamental reshaping of social institutions in three ways: changes in the organization of production, particularly those associated with the growth of service dominated economics; the effects of technological change, particularly those associated with Information Technology; the erosion of the 'male breadwinner' (or single earner) model of employment and household.

These trends have resulted in strains and ruptures in the organization and regulation of employment, and related institutions including trade unions, employers, and households. The task of the next decade is to both reconstruct relationships, and to renew institutions.