WHAT ARE CONTINGENT WORKERS?

Contingent workers include individuals who are typically hired for shorter periods of time. They perform specific tasks that oftern require special job skills, and are employed when an organisation is experiencing significant deviations in its work flow. Then, when the special need for them is fulfilled, these workers are let go-- but not let go in the traditional layoff sense. Contingent workers have no "full time" rights in the organisation. Consequently when their project is completed, so, too, may be their affiliation with the organisation. Similarly, because of their status, these workers often do not receive any of the employee benefits that are provided to core workers. About 5 percent of the work force in 2000 was comprised of contingent workers, and the numbers is expected to climb in the years ahead.