Journal of Economic Perspectives
ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)
The Growth of Temporary Services Work
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 11,
no. 2, Spring 1997
(pp. 117–136)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
Temporary services employment grew rapidly over the past several decades and now accounts for a sizable fraction of aggregate employment. The authors use Current Population Survey data to examine the changing nature of temporary work and discuss explanations for its growth. Temps are no longer overwhelmingly female or limited to clerical occupations. They have less labor market security than permanent workers, being prone to more unemployment and more underemployment. Few, however, are in temp positions a year later and the majority transition to permanent employment. Temp wages are approximately 20 percent below permanent workers, but individual and job characteristics explain approximately two-thirds of the gap.Citation
Segal, Lewis M., and Daniel G. Sullivan. 1997. "The Growth of Temporary Services Work." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 11 (2): 117–136. DOI: 10.1257/jep.11.2.117JEL Classification
- J22 Time Allocation and Labor Supply
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