News & Events

Employers favour temporary workers

Date posted:

9th April 2008

A new study has shown that demand for temporary workers is increasing.

A report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and professional services company KPMG has shown that demand for permanent workers rose at the slowest rate in 55 months in March as employers appear to be looking towards a more flexible workforce.

The research, entitled Report on Jobs, showed that temporary appointments continued to grow while the salaries index for permanent staff fell from 56.8 to 55.5.

KPMG director Alan Nolan said that the credit crunch and fears of more economic difficulties are giving temporary workers the edge over permanent employees.

"No matter what sector, employers are becoming increasingly cautious. Demand for staff is slowing and employers are hedging their bets with more emphasis on temporary hires, while pay pressures are easing somewhat," he said.

A Temporary Agency Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Bill was introduced in February 2008 in order to give agency workers the same rights as long-term and directly employed staff in areas such as including basic wages, sick pay and holiday pay, according to Personnel Today.

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