Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?[W:131]

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/the-rise-of-the-permanent-temp-economy/?_r=0

Over the last three years, the temp industry added more jobs in the United States than any other, according to the American Staffing Association, the trade group representing temp recruitment agencies, outsourcing specialists and the like/QUOTE]

Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies? Do they seem to be part of the problem or solution?

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Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

No, they serve a purpose.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies?

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For what purpose? Temp agencies have been around since before I first entered the job market, back in the early 70's. They serve a useful purpose for both employers and employees. I'm not sure why we'd want to get rid of something which works.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/the-rise-of-the-permanent-temp-economy/?_r=0

Over the last three years, the temp industry added more jobs in the United States than any other, according to the American Staffing Association, the trade group representing temp recruitment agencies, outsourcing specialists and the like/QUOTE]

Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies? Do they seem to be part of the problem or solution?

Click to expand...

Why in God's name would anyone want to get rid of an economically efficient solution? That would be silly and bad for the people that cannot otherwise find work. The problems are certainly not in making work flexible.

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Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

I think many companies exploit them. For instance, there are about 4 temp workers in my department that have been here over 2 years now with no idea if they will ever be hired permanently. They don't have to give them benefits like sick time or healthcare. So while they do serve a purpose sometimes that gets taken advantage of so I am a little on the fence here.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

I think Obama should ban jobs period.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

americanwoman said:

I think many companies exploit them. For instance, there are about 4 temp workers in my department that have been here over 2 years now with no idea if they will ever be hired permanently. They don't have to give them benefits like sick time or healthcare. So while they do serve a purpose sometimes that gets taken advantage of so I am a little on the fence here.

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Exactly the same for me. I don't trust them. They are easy to exploit. And it seems like many companies AND the government using them. Cheating the system. Plus how can you claim you are giving more jobs when they are crappy temp jobs that are not long term?

I think we should aim to create real jobs and reduce employment agencies.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

lizzie said:

For what purpose? Temp agencies have been around since before I first entered the job market, back in the early 70's. They serve a useful purpose for both employers and employees. I'm not sure why we'd want to get rid of something which works.

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Because they aren't stable jobs. Maybe we should aim for creating better more stable jobs?

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

Because they aren't stable jobs. Maybe we should aim for creating better more stable jobs?

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There's a demand for temp jobs- there has been such a demand ever since I can remember. What problem has it been causing? None that I have seen.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

Because they aren't stable jobs. Maybe we should aim for creating better more stable jobs?

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Temp agencies are a pathway to jobs in my area. They are rent-to-own people. Companies hire through them to test drive an employee and if they want to keep the employee after a while, they write the temp agency another check and the person becomes an employee of the company o which they were assigned.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

I know they never did me any good. I always had a better experience just applying directly with a company. However, in theory I suppose they have a function.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/the-rise-of-the-permanent-temp-economy/?_r=0

Over the last three years, the temp industry added more jobs in the United States than any other, according to the American Staffing Association, the trade group representing temp recruitment agencies, outsourcing specialists and the like

Click to expand...

Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies? Do they seem to be part of the problem or solution?

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The problem with the argument is a bad assumption that a reduction in temp agencies will in itself change how employers view temporary, or "assignment," based staff. There is also a balance to consider assuming we could do anything about temp agencies.

Look at it this way. 50-60 years ago it was unheard of to go throughout your career working for more than 2-3 employers over the entire worker's employment lifetime. Now the average retention rate suggests one will switch jobs and/or employers every 4 to 4.5 years. That could end up meaning that one would work for a dozen or more employers over their lifetime these days as a normal practice. Using a 3rd party to facilitate that attitude does not equate to direct cause.

How people view mobility within a single organization vs. outside going between organizations has drastically changed. If the idea that temp agencies drove this had more merit then we could look at them with more culpability in direct cause. But it does not add up. I suspect that we have a bigger picture item to consider here, for lack of a better term is loyalty. That is a two way street. Meaning the economics suggest we cannot pin the cause on just a middle man capitalizing on how that relationship exists these days vs. some other point in history.

The other big change over the same period is the more direct impact of international labor competition. Like may other things, that is a bell that cannot be unrung. That forever changed how larger businesses view the labor costs of certain services and production/manufacturing needs.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

almost every job i have ever had before and after obtaining my degrees have been through temp agencies.

Certainly my best jobs and long term jobs have all been though them . . . .

in my personal experience i see no reason at all to get rid of them but like i said thats just based on me

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

Shouldn't the thread title read, "Should we take even more liberty away from American businesses"?

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

americanwoman said:

I think many companies exploit them. For instance, there are about 4 temp workers in my department that have been here over 2 years now with no idea if they will ever be hired permanently. They don't have to give them benefits like sick time or healthcare. So while they do serve a purpose sometimes that gets taken advantage of so I am a little on the fence here.

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100% hit the nail on the head.


We've had these two temps, GREAT guys, and they are being told "we should have an answer for you shortly". They've been told that a million times. They don't get our wonderful benefits and PTO. A shame.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/the-rise-of-the-permanent-temp-economy/?_r=0



Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies? Do they seem to be part of the problem or solution?

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That would far exceed what even an avowed far left liberal like myself sees as a proper role for government.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

americanwoman said:

I think many companies exploit them. For instance, there are about 4 temp workers in my department that have been here over 2 years now with no idea if they will ever be hired permanently. They don't have to give them benefits like sick time or healthcare. So while they do serve a purpose sometimes that gets taken advantage of so I am a little on the fence here.

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If they are working "full time", ie 40 + hours a week kinda thing, then the temp agency is required to supply some benefits, as they are employees of the temp agency. Also, there is nothing wrong with going back to the temp agency and asking them to find you a different job. If they have done well enough that they have been kept around for 2 years, that suggests they are decent employees and would represent the agency well in another job. Temp agencies love and will work with good people since they get repeat business when they send good people out.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

americanwoman said:

I think many companies exploit them. For instance, there are about 4 temp workers in my department that have been here over 2 years now with no idea if they will ever be hired permanently. They don't have to give them benefits like sick time or healthcare. So while they do serve a purpose sometimes that gets taken advantage of so I am a little on the fence here.

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That's the thing. They DO serve a legit purpose, and as such should not be eliminated, but they have also evolved to the concept being abused by many companies who rely on them precisely so they can cheap it out.

Side note: If I were one of those 4 employees I'd be actively looking for a better and permanent job. I hope they are.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

There are still people for whom temp agencies serve a legit purpose. They might have limited time and just want something to do and/or make a little spare cash without the commitment of a permanent job. I also don't have an issue with a company "test driving" an employee.

Having said that, after a period of time, say 6 months in most situations, the company should scheit or get off the pot. Hire them permanently or send them back.

I'd be open to bringing temp agencies back to their legit purposes, but I would not favor eliminating them entirely. Draconian measures like that bring to mind phrases like, "Throw the baby out with the bath water."

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

Over the last three years, the temp industry added more jobs in the United States than any other, according to the American Staffing Association, the trade group representing temp recruitment agencies, outsourcing specialists and the like/QUOTE]

Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies? Do they seem to be part of the problem or solution?

Click to expand...

Temp agencies are like beer: they're the cause of and the solution to all of life's problems. Sure, they serve the need of filling a temporary job with a ready and able worker, but it's also given companies a way of avoiding risky hiring contracts and benefits.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/the-rise-of-the-permanent-temp-economy/?_r=0

Over the last three years, the temp industry added more jobs in the United States than any other, according to the American Staffing Association, the trade group representing temp recruitment agencies, outsourcing specialists and the like

Click to expand...

Do you think we should get rid of or reduce the temp agencies? Do they seem to be part of the problem or solution?

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Not only no, but hell no. Temp agencies have been around since the 1940s I believe. The Kelly Girls.

Temp agencies bring a gigantic value to employers. They work on short term projects. You can get some serious specialized talent from them. The list goes on. The current jobs situation has nothing to do with Temp Agencies. And Temp Agencies don't exist to keep jobs down.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

11Bravo said:

100% hit the nail on the head.


We've had these two temps, GREAT guys, and they are being told "we should have an answer for you shortly". They've been told that a million times. They don't get our wonderful benefits and PTO. A shame.

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Are they being forced to stay? If they don't like the situation, they should find something else to do.

We use temps and most would not take a permanent position if offered. They are paid more per hour than equivalent permanent employees and any of them could leave us today and be working for someone else tomorrow.

What business does the government have interfering with this kind of relationship?

.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

stonewall50 said:

Exactly the same for me. I don't trust them. They are easy to exploit. And it seems like many companies AND the government using them. Cheating the system. Plus how can you claim you are giving more jobs when they are crappy temp jobs that are not long term?

I think we should aim to create real jobs and reduce employment agencies.

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Crappy temp jobs? I don't think you know what temp agencies do. You can get attorneys, accountants, engineers, software developers, project managers, etc. through temp agencies. They aren't "crappy" jobs at all.

By the way, the fee passed on to the employer by the temp agencies varies from anywhere between 25% of the hourly rate to 150% of the hourly rate for more specialized skills. It isn't cheap to engage an agency for a temp by any means. And jobs are not created in order for a company to go out and pay a temp agency for labor. Jobs are created because of a demand, and a temp agency is sometimes the best way to get the labor and accomplish the task.

What system is being cheated?

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

americanwoman said:

I think many companies exploit them. For instance, there are about 4 temp workers in my department that have been here over 2 years now with no idea if they will ever be hired permanently. They don't have to give them benefits like sick time or healthcare. So while they do serve a purpose sometimes that gets taken advantage of so I am a little on the fence here.

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Your employer has 4 people in your department that they've been paying a temp agency for for over 2 years? I never heard of such a thing. Your employer is screwing itself because the fee they've been paying for those employees after 6 months becomes more costly than it would be to bring the employees on the payroll.

Re: Should we get rid of or reduce Temp Agencies?

TOJ said:

Are they being forced to stay? If they don't like the situation, they should find something else to do.

We use temps and most would not take a permanent position if offered. They are paid more per hour than equivalent permanent employees and any of them could leave us today and be working for someone else tomorrow.

What business does the government have interfering with this kind of relationship?

.

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I don't like your argument for one reason. But I'll answer:

No they are not being forced to stay. However, they are temping in a job that they REALLY enjoy, and they are being told they are going to be brought on "soon". However, it appears that budgeting is a problem and it keeps getting pushed back more and more. So they think that soon they will get this job, but it seems like it may be a long time.

I'm not saying that government "interfering" in this situation is appropriate, but it's just a crappy situation for them. They love what they're doing, but they're getting paid 2 times less than what their colleagues are making that actually work here, they don't get our PTO, and especially our benefits...yet they do our work.

Can you understand that?