Susan Houseman - Temporary work employment

Susan Houseman, Senior Economist at W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, discusses temporary work employment.


Why is this controversial?
Well, many regard, still regard, temporary work employment as bad jobs. They are largely filled by low-skilled workers, although the temporary help agencies have tried to move increasingly into professional jobs, for the most part for low-skilled, low-wage work. And many view these as essentially traps, not allowing people much, not giving workers much in the way of job skills and not really leading to permanent jobs.

On the other hand, some have viewed them as potential stepping stones for low wage workers, by helping them to build skills and to find permanent jobs ultimately.