A survey by recruiting experts Hays has revealed a very different picture to the typical perception of the average temporary worker.
Temporary workers are often perceived to be women in entry-level admin positions, but the Hays survey reveals 43.4 per cent are men and 56.6 per cent are women.
According to the survey, 75.8 per cent of temporary workers are aged 30 and over, and 58.4 per cent say they are ‘experienced/non managers’, while 15.2 per cent are considered ‘middle management’.
The Hays survey also shows the public sector (18.8 per cent), construction, property and engineering (18.6 per cent), financial services (14.6 per cent), IT and telecommunications (12.3 per cent) and resources and mining (11.8 per cent) industries are where temporary workers are choosing to work.
“The results of our survey certainly dispels the perception that temporary workers are only entry-level admin candidates and reveals some interesting trends about Australia’s contingent workforce,” says Simon Bristow, Senior Regional Director of Hays Construction.
“The survey also reveals candidates are seeing the many advantages of this type of work, with about half, or 49.8 per cent, saying temporary assignments give them the ability to gain experience and make vital contacts within a particular company of interest.”
Being able to gain more opportunities and skills is also another benefit cited by 48.6 per cent of candidates doing temporary work, along with having variety in their workload (37.3 per cent) and being able to remain in the workforce due to the flexibility of the work (also 37.3 per cent).
96.3 per cent of temporary workers surveyed also say they are willing to take another temporary assignment in the future and 29.1 per cent say temporary assignments are their first preference.
“There is a candidate pool only interested in temporary assignments because many people want greater flexibility in their working arrangements,” says Simon.
Meanwhile, 40.4 per cent of temporary workers say they are treated like they are integral to the success of the businesses they work for. Only 8.2 per cent say they are viewed as a ‘necessary evil’ by their employers.
Employers were also surveyed by Hays about their temporary worker use and 31.2 per cent of organisations say they consider temporary workers to be a key component of a long-term staffing strategy. This ranks above their use to overcome permanent headcount restrictions (25.8 per cent).
“54.1 per cent of employers said they found it advantageous that they could hire particular expertise for special projects suggesting they are hiring experienced and qualified staff not only for flexible outcomes but as a long-term staffing strategy,” says Simon.
“A further 24.2 per cent of employers consider temporary workers to be essential to the success of their organisation, while just 11.8 per cent see them as a temporary cost reduction measure.”
