by Conny Manero

Created on: November 11, 2009   Last Updated: December 14, 2009

In an economy where full-time jobs are hard to find, more and more people turn to temporary employment.  Temp jobs are a lot easier to get, gives the employee flexibility in the work schedule and gives the opportunity to make contacts and learn on the job.  Temp work might sound as the perfect solution to someone who is unemployed, but as with everything there is a downside.

Temp work does not look good on a resume.  Assume that two candidates are up for one job.  One has a track record of having been five years with the same company and the other has been doing short term assignments for a long period of time.  Which one will instil more confidence?

Many temps start a temporary job in the hope that the assignment might lead to a full-time job.  They think that if they perform well enough and fit it with the rest of the company they might be asked to stay.  When this does not happen and it is time to say goodbye, temps often feel a sense of disappointment.

Saying goodbye is never easy and in the event that a temp lands a long-term assignment, saying goodbye to a company and its people can be very difficult.  Agencies often warn not to get attached to a company and its people, but this is easier said than done.  Invariably friendships are formed, jobs are liked if not loved, and letting go can be hard.

Depending on the agency and the job, the hourly rate of temporary work is generally low.  Some agencies pay more than others and some jobs pay better than others, but generally temps earn only half of what full-time employees make. 

Temporary employment offers little or no benefits.  That means no medical insurance, and no sick leave.  Should a temp get sick while on assignment, there will be no financial coverage.  In case of a long-term assignment, an employer might be willing to wait for the temp to recover and come back, but most of the time temps are replaced within a matter of hours.

Temporary employment offers no security.  Employers do not have to give any notice.  An assignment may be cancelled at any time.  Should a temp find herself unable to go to work one day, chances are that the assignment is cancelled and she gets replaced with another temp.

There can be weeks or even months between assignments.  While it is recommended that a temp advises an agency of her finishing date, the chances that another assignment is waiting upon completion of the current assignment are minimal.

The quality of work can leave much to be desired.  Some temporary jobs consist of standing in for a full-time employee, but some temp jobs are directed to the less desirable tasks.  Temps are expected to do work nobody else wants to do. 

Temps are often treated with less than respect by the full-time staff.  Assumptions are made a temp cannot get, or does not want, a full-time job. 

Before going into temporary work, it might be a good idea to talk to a few temps.  It is the best way to get an idea of what temporary work involves and hear some experiences.  Nothing is better than getting it straight from the horse’s mouth.

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