For Sylvia Mangialetto, temp work has hardly been temporary.
In her sixth year with Career Personnel in Augusta, the quality-control specialist has worked 40-hour weeks for much of her time.
Ms. Mangialetto said she feels a sense of job security and satisfaction, despite the lack of benefits such as health insurance.
"I know they'll probably place me doing something right away" if a job ends, she said.
Although temp work often is short term, Ms. Mangialetto has been working for more than two years inspecting vehicle components sent to Augusta by the South Africa-based Guestro Wheels, a supplier of the SKF factory in Graniteville.
"This is what I do, it feels like it's permanent," she said.
Ms. Mangialetto is among the millions of American workers known as temporary or contract workers - people who aren't considered traditional "full-time" employees.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 2.4 million workers were employed in a temporary or contract position in March, the second-highest level during that month since 1995 and double the level seen in 1990.
The growing demand for outsourced help is reflective of the changing role of the American workplace.
Temps are no longer just replacements for people on vacation, but rather an integral part of the work force that can reduce a company's cost structure and allow an employer to quickly adapt to an increasingly on-demand world, experts say.
"Temps give flexibility," said MAU President Randy Hatcher. "It changes the reaction time for hiring."
For many companies, bringing in temporary workers can bypass the need for costly and time-consuming hiring procedures such as interviews, background checks and drug tests.
Most temporary staffing services, such as MAU, Manpower Inc. and Career Personnel, already have performed such checks, meaning an expanding company can more quickly hire temps to get a new product line up and running.
"We can get 10 people drug-screened and ready to roll quickly," Career Personnel President Louise Aronow said. "It may take an employer a week to get them through their HR department."
Temporary workers also are cheaper to employ.
Jim Allen, an Augusta employment attorney, said employers are not required to match the 8.5 percent Social Security contributions of temporary or contract workers.
"That's some nice savings," he said.
In addition, employers can avoid paying health insurance and other benefits.
"The high cost of health benefits is a big issue, and it's difficult for companies to hire." said Mike Chittenden, a spokesman for the Employment Policy Foundation, a Washington-based nonprofit group that follows employment trends.
Lack of benefits for temporary workers is a criticism of the industry, though some staffing agencies have started offering health insurance and other benefits to workers.
Michael Wald, an analyst for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, said the recent increase in temporary hiring is a positive economic sign.
"When the economy picks up, companies hire temp workers before they hire full time," he said.
Full-time workers can be a drain on a company's bottom line should the economy take another downturn. If employers fire or lay off those workers, they also face higher unemployment insurance costs. Using temps avoids both of those possibilities.
Temporary workers also provide a suitable work force for short-term projects or to meet seasonal demand, particularly in manufacturing.
Debbie Elder, the area manager for Manpower Inc, said it is not uncommon for her company to provide 500 temporary workers to Club Car to fulfill orders for new golf cars.
Temporary work not only benefits employers but also can lead to full-time employment for the temp worker because many companies hire top-performing temps.
"Ninety-five percent of our associates find permanent jobs this way, if we were in the business of hiring and firing we'd never have anyone come back in," Ms. Aronow said.
Temp work can provide employers with a chance to closely evaluate a potential employee.
"The most deceptive part of the hiring process is the interview. Most anybody can look good for 30 minutes to an hour," Mr. Hatcher said. "A working interview takes the mystery out and cut down turnover and increase job satisfaction levels."
The cost for hiring a new full-time employee can range anywhere from $2,000 to $11,000. It is estimated that Georgia business spend $300 million annually replacing employees.
Temporary work provides a revenue stream for people in between jobs.
Mr. Hatcher said the average person can expect to spend one month for every $10,000 in salary they earn looking for a job.
"They can call a company like us, and sometimes be working the next day," he said.
Reach Adrian Burns at (706) 823-3352 or adrian.burns@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Back
