Temporary Workers Are Not Just Cheap Labor Anymore

Over time, the majority perception around temporary labor has evolved, and it has most dramatically changed in the last 10 years. Temporary workers were previously seen as low skill, low wage, and low value. And generally, they were; temporary work was a chance for people to get out of unemployment before finding a low skill full time job. Fortunately things have changed, and it’s very possible to get a skilled temporary workforce – people with experience and the skills necessary to do your important work. 

Where did these skilled temporary workers come from? When the housing bubble burst and the economy crashed, millions of people lost their jobs. They had to do whatever it took to pay their bills so many began working temporary jobs. Over time, people realized temporary work had its advantages, and could even result in higher wages. They could have more control over when they worked, who they worked for, and even had more control over how they spent and invested their earnings. 

Today millions of people are working in temporary roles not because they're desperate for a job, but because they actually choose to.  

​The Old Model Is Gone

The American economy has changed. More people than ever are working in contingent jobs. With so many people in the temporary workforce compared to in the past, how can we possibly think of temporary labor the same as we used to? Simply put, temporary and contingent labor no longer comes with a negative connotation. With numbers in the 40+ percentages of the workforce, it certainly includes many highly skilled specialists - such as Class A CDL drivers, consultants with various backgrounds – from prestigious companies, and industrial workers. ​The new contingent workforce is complex, but can be strategically leveraged to your advantage. 

​Contingent Staffing for An Agile and Growing Business

​The trend towards contingent workforces can truly be utilized to an employers advantage as well. Due to its flexible nature, contingent or temporary staffing solutions allow companies to be nimble in a rapidly changing business environment. For example, if a company is looking to develop a new product, move into a new market, or open a new location, it could take hire a temporary workforce to get the job done. Temporary staffing resources provide companies the ability to invest in short-term, experimental business decisions. Additionally, if a company needs to ramp up its capacity due to a natural disaster, labor shortage or unexpected order, temporary staffing is its best option. Having the temporary workforce resources available quickly mitigates risk exposure and provides a competitive edge against competition.