Find Quote by Guy Standing
“Retraining for the precariat is stressful and demoralising; often, they learn new tricks only to find them obsolescent or unwanted.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class in the Twenty‑First Century, Guy Standing, 2011
Workers in precarious jobs face constant stress and discouragement, learning new skills that quickly become irrelevant or unwanted.
In simple terms: Precarious work is stressful and demoralising.
Key Takeaway
Adapt continuously, seek stable opportunities.
Themes
precarity
stress
skill obsolescence
labor market
mental health
Mood
anxious
determined
Type
sociological
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- skill development
- job search
- mental health support
Key Concepts
human capital
economic insecurity
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can workers future‑proof their skills?
- What policies could reduce precarity?
A Different Perspective
Skills may become obsolete faster than they can be learned, limiting long‑term stability.
