Permatemps becoming fixture of US workforce
Aug 2, 2012, 1:31 PM | Updated: 1:32 pm
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A 40-hour workweek with benefits used to be the gold standard for job hunters but now more and more of them are choosing to work on a temp basis by choice.
Two and a half million Americans hold down temp jobs — a 40 percent jump since 2009. For some because it’s their best shot of getting a paycheck but for a growing number it’s becoming a way of life.
“They’re going and working for one organization and gaining experience and moving on to different projects,” said Theresa Maher with Jobing.com.
She added health care, engineering and information technology jobs remain hot right now.
“You see engineers who worked for one company for thirty years and are now able to tackle a variety of projects with different companies. Some of these temp positions easily turn into full-time jobs once the company sees what that candidate can do and what they bring to the table for them.”
Maher said temp workers are attractive to companies that hire up.
Most of these temp jobs do not come with health insurance so there is a cost savings for the employers in terms of bringing people on board on a permanent basis.”
Maher said temporary jobs can run from one to nine months. It all depends on the company and the project temp workers are on.