Purpose: The aim of this article is to explore the influence of precarious (temporary) employment on employability and career development. Design/methodology/approach: The article draws together primary and secondary research material. Findings: Findings indicate that there are both positive and negative perspectives with regard to temporary…

Preference for alternative work arrangements increased between 1995 and 1997. Independent contractors and contract company workers are more satisfied with these arrangements. Temporary and on-call workers, whose schedules and income are more unpredictable, would prefer traditional arrangements. (SK)

At the end of the day, most of those in higher education feel gratified for having accomplished meaningful work but somewhat overwhelmed with the pile of work yet to be tackled. Still, they see the need to do more beyond that. Indeed, it is becoming clear that there is a growing need for more contact between educators and students and a need to…

Temporary staffing companies have expanded and grown tremendously in the last five years. In addition to training their own workers, they are starting to provide training for the same companies to which they send their workers. (JOW)

Case studies of six hospitals and five auto parts suppliers showed that in high-skilled occupations, employers paid more to temporary agency help than regular staff. In low-skilled occupations, temporary agencies facilitated use of riskier workers. Temporaries may relieve pressure to raise wages in tight labor markets, perhaps contributing to…

Explores issues related to the increasing role of private agencies in provision of supply teachers across Britain's schools. Draws on 60 interviews with mix of supply teachers, schoolteachers, and employees from two branches of large teacher-supply agency. Concludes that new models of providing temporary teaching cover are needed to address…

The NRC Resident Research Associateship Program at NIST provides two-year temporary appointments for outstanding scientists and engineers. This book describes program applicants and awardees and offers suggestions for an in-depth assessment of career outcomes. Preliminary investigation indicates that outreach efforts produce more qualified…

Describes a German experiment whereby fulltime employees can work fewer hours without losing status and parttime employees have more options on allocations of working hours. The process ensures that management can count on enough staff for peak periods and more easily plan ahead. (JOW)

Explores the effect of contingent and alternative employment on individuals' positions in the labor market. Examines the importance of these arrangements and investigates the preferences of contingent and alternative workers regarding their arrangements and their reasons for being in that type of employment arrangement. (JOW)

With office technology becoming more sophisticated and skilled workers harder to find, meeting personnel needs is a difficult task. In many cases, professional temporaries may be just the answer. (Author)

Interviews with 13 women who had worked in temporary clerical positions identified ways in which they are alienated from work, from others, and from themselves; the ways they actively resist alienation; and constraints on resistance. Results revealed a concern that temporary workers are disproportionately those already marginalized, such as women…

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…

Describes a trend by retirement age secretaries to keep working as much as they desire through part time or temporary employment, often for their former full-time employer. Discusses benefits for both the worker and the employer. Covers social security and tax rules that may affect earnings. (CH)

Faced with a late-season superintendent search, many districts defer the formal search-and-hire process and entice a senior administrator or former superintendent to serve a one- or two-year stint. One appealing alternative is an abbreviated search. Boards should advertise immediately and efficiently, develop their own criteria, recruit…

Discusses the alternative arrangements of four groups of workers: (1) independent contractors; (2) temporary help agency workers; (3) employees of contract companies; and (4) on-call workers. (JOW)