A majority of temporary workers employed through staffing firms prefer to be referred to as something other than “temp” or “temporary worker,” according to a report by Staffing Industry Analysts. Instead, most prefer to be called “consultant,” “contractor” or “associate.”
Preferences varied sharply, however, by pay and age of worker.
Lower-paid and younger workers were less likely to object to “temp” or “temporary worker,” and higher-paid and older workers were more likely to object. In particular, while the report found 33% of those earning less than $16 per hour were OK with “temp,” only 2% of those earning $60 per hour or more were. Similarly, 28% of workers 25 and younger were OK with “temp,” but only 10% of those 56 and older were.
“It’s important that staffing firms recognize these sensitivities and preferences so their staff can put their best foot forward with new candidates and make the best possible impression,” said Jon Osborne, VP strategic research and author of the report. “We know from previous SIA surveys of temporary workers that the personal side of a candidate’s experience with staffing firms is absolutely key to their loyalty to that firm.”
The full report is available online to SIA corporate members.