This article offers a brief overview of the contingent worker industry and its employees. In addition to defining temporary worker, the authors describe the importance of the temporary worker industry to the U.S. economy and the forces that have driven this industry's rapid growth. The changing profile of temporary workers, the benefits and…

Discusses Temporary Help Industry segment of the contingent work force. Discusses benefits and drawbacks to both the employer and "employee." Suggests profiles of people who can benefit from this alternative employment experience. Concludes that, with strong understanding of qualities and skills that Temporary Help Services employers need in…

A job diagnostic survey was administered to professional and technical contingent and permanent employees of a major U.S. telecommunications company. Contingent workers had higher motivation potential scores, scored significantly higher in task identity and feedback from the job, and scored higher in combined need strength than did permanent…