The closing of the summer brought an end to temporary employment for many young workers. With seasonal summer jobs behind us, it will not be long before retailers begin hiring in preparation for the shopping season. The temporary job market is an important one and will be further boosted in Canada by events such as the 2010 Winter Olympics. Yet in the US, Reuters reports “the temporary jobs sector lost 37,000 jobs in August, after shedding 24,000 jobs in July and 36,000 each in May and June” providing another reminder of economic conditions.

Many jobs lend themselves to temporary work arrangements. A shorter work term, however, may make it more difficult to offer employees educational opportunities, career advancement and even the chance to see the result of their efforts. There is, however, a definite need for temporary employees who are engaged at work and are willing to work hard. From the teams of overnight summer camp counselors and the young workers who staff seasonal hospitality and recreational facilities to farm laborers and retail workers, the temporary workforce is a valuable resource.

If we consider the results of a General Social survey – as reported in LiveScience -- we can see that some temporary positions may provide a different level of satisfaction than longer term ones. According to the results of the 2006 survey with over 27,000 people, the top jobs that participants ranked as “least gratifying” included the following:

•       “Laborers, except construction—21 percent
•       Apparel clothing salespersons—24 percent
•       Handpackers and packagers—24 percent
•       Food preparers—24 percent
•       Roofers—25 percent
•       Cashiers—25 percent
•       Furniture and home-furnishing salespersons—25 percent
•       Bartenders—26 percent
•       Freight, stock and material handlers—26 percent
•       Waiters and servers—27 percent”

Many of the positions on this list can be offered in a temporary capacity. Furthermore, economic conditions may be forcing employees who require full-time employment to seek out temporary work.

For employees, motivating factors may differ by generation. For example, young seasonal workers might be seeking out travel or new experience, while older workers may need to support a family.

New legislation in the UK benefits temporary workers. The measures require employees to provide “temporary workers the same rights in areas like holiday and sick pay as permanent colleagues.” Although there are some opponents to this change, the legislation no doubt is welcome news for temporary workers.

What are your thoughts about motivating temporary workers? Do you think that motivating factors vary dramatically by generation?

References:

Bryner, Jeanna. “Survey Reveals Most Satisfying Jobs.” LiveScience [www.livescience.com]. April 17, 2007.

“New rights for temporary workers.” BBC News Channel [www. news.bbc.co.uk]. June 10, 2008.

Zieminski, Nick. “Staffing shares have further to fall.” Reuters, September 5, 2008.