Differences that matter between non-standard workers It is commonly widespread that what we call atypical employment relations includes a plurality of contracts and labour conditions that are difficulty comparable. This lack of homogeneity in part overlaps and in part modifies the differences given by the level of professionalization, and by the proximity/distance from standard contracts. This pluralization of atypical contracts constitute another form of work force segmentation, not only between atypical and standard contracts, but also inside non-standard work itself. Another form of unhomogeneity derives from the differences between local labour
markets. Even European statistics confirm that employment vulnerability and risks of uncertain and fragmented careers depends on social classes, territorial localization and gender. This essay focuses on gender differences among nonstandard workers.