Discusses the growing use of temporary employees by companies, including the reasons that temporary help is popular. Describes the types of people likely to become temporary employees and reports results from a survey of 144 members of the American Society for Personnel Administration regarding their organizations' use of temporary employees. (CH)

The increase of temporary workers, part-time workers, and consultants has caused corporations to make major changes in their human resource systems. These changes have produced both benefits and costs. Estimates of the growth of the contingent work force between 1980 and 1987 vary from 17 to 23 percent. (CH)