A recent Washington Post article, described the life of temporary employees working at an automobile plant in Kentucky. Working at a fraction of what permanent employees make at the plant, some employees had been working as temps for extended periods, as long as three or four years, when early indications had been they would be permanent within six to 12 months.

At four years, making two thirds of their permanent fellow workers and without benefits, the plant had essentially treated these employees as disposable.

Properly utilized, contingent employees can be used to manage a variety of business issues: staff increases in business, fill temporary vacancies, seasonal or peak time assistance, even "test-drive" potential permanent employees. All of these can be vital operational functions. However, extensive or over use of "temporary" employees might be a sign of significant operational problems.

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