Law in the Books vs. Law in Action
An investigation into the impact of regulations on working conditions in the parcel and food delivery sector
Factsheet
- Schools involved Business School
- Institute(s) Institute for New Work
- Research unit(s) People & Organisation
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Sustainable Development"
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.04.2026 - 31.03.2029
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Caroline Straub
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Project staff
Prof. Dr. iur. Kurt Pärli
Jean-Miche Bovin
Situation
The project examines the parcel delivery sector from legal, sociological and economic perspectives and is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Geneva (Institute of Demography and Socio-Economics, Prof. Dr Jean-Michel Bonvin) and by the Research Centre for Collective Labour Law (KOAMI) at the University of Basel (Labour Law, Prof. Dr Kurt Pärlin). It investigates how laws and regulations can help to improve working conditions in the Swiss parcel and food delivery sector – and why this is successful or, conversely, why it is not. This sector is growing rapidly, but is characterised by low wages, time pressure and difficult working conditions. The research question is: “Under what conditions can a regulatory framework (in terms of both its content and its implementation, monitoring and sanction mechanisms) contribute to better working conditions in the parcel and food delivery sector?”
Course of action
Our research will follow the steps outlined below. Firstly, we will lay the foundations for the empirical study: what data and state-of-the-art research are available on the parcel and food delivery sector, i.e. what are the actual working conditions in this sector and how are they assessed by the key stakeholders in the field? In this initial research stage, we also aim to determine the impact of relevant labour law provisions and applicable collective agreements on working conditions and the quality of work for employees in the parcel and food delivery sector. To this end, we will first examine the current regulations (legislation and collective agreements), taking case law into account; we will also factor in foreseeable changes (e.g. new collective agreements, recent court rulings, legal reforms). In the second stage of our project, we will analyse how existing and evolving legal frameworks influence the strategies of employee representatives, as well as the decisions made by human resources management in their dealings with employees and the collective bargaining strategies of employee representatives. This leads into the final phase of our research, in which we identify potential recommendations for action.
Result
The main objective is to understand when binding regulations actually bring about change in practice, and what obstacles prevent good rules from being effectively implemented in the day-to-day lives of delivery drivers. In addition to this core objective, the project aims to provide an up-to-date picture of working conditions, highlight how companies, authorities and workers are responding to new regulations, and jointly develop solutions that enable fair working practices whilst remaining economically viable.
Looking ahead
The project lies at the intersection of labour law, sociology and economics, and responds to current challenges in the modern world of work. It examines how regulation and practice interact – a topic of great societal significance in light of the growth of platform and delivery work.
