Temporary and regular workers fulfill their tasks side-by-side, but in different learning conditions

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to identify temporary workers' (temps') expected conditions for learning when they are leased to a client company (CC) for numerical flexibility. Design/methodology/approach. The analysis is based on a phenomenological approach containing 121 transcribed interviews with employees and managers who were active in more than 10 CCs' in seven industries and from seven temporary work agencies. Findings. One important finding is that the CC expects temps not to learn something about the surrounding organization, but to limit themselves only to the concrete tasks assigned to them. Another is that temps' opportunities to influence organizational conditions in the CCs seem to be cut off in a strategic way. Research limitations/implications. Results are valid for interviewees' expressed thoughts and expectations about temps' workplace learning, not about an actual separation between knowledge and actions in the working conditions. Practical implications. CCs associate temps with learning backgrounds that allow them to perform subordinate tasks, such as routine, instructional, or regulatory duties. They associate regular staff with more advanced learning backgrounds and tasks more directly related to occupation and workplace. CCs could benefit from accepting the exchange of knowledge and competence between temps and the company, rather than neglecting it. Social implications. Many temps work side-by-side with regular employees while they often engage in limited areas of the CCs' organization. Originality/value. The originality of this paper lies in its contribution to the relatively unexplored topic of workplace learning and leaders and employees' expectations of temps.

The client company marginally utilises the knowledge of highly skilled temporary staff

“…This would include both health care and social work (Augustsson, 2014). Atkinson's (1984) idea of flexibility is based on a 'separation of jobs which are specific to a particular firm from those involving only general skills'.…”

“…In this context arises the aspect of power; there is a division between different staff members. One group is largely covered by functional flexibility while the other is primarily concerned with numerical flexibility (Augustsson, 2012(Augustsson, , 2014. A common division of labor is between regulars and temporary workers.…”

Utilization of Consultant Doctors’ Competence and Impact on Perceived Psychosocial Work Environment: A Pilot Study

“…Accordingly, there is a minimized integration of consultants into the CC [1] [3] [5]. In this way, permanent staff members are relieved of unattractive, simple, or standardized work tasks and acquire more advanced ones [5].…”

“…Previous research in health care and social services has demonstrated differences in the rules of communication and behavior in client companies' (CCs') treat-ment of regular staff and temporary workers [1] [2]. Augustsson [1] showed that temporary workers 1) are kept away from various contexts in which there is talk about the overall organization, 2) are kept outside more intellectually complex and decision-making contexts, 3) are associated with social outsiders, and 4) have fewer opportunities for in-house training than regular workers.…”

“…Augustsson [1] showed that temporary workers 1) are kept away from various contexts in which there is talk about the overall organization, 2) are kept outside more intellectually complex and decision-making contexts, 3) are associated with social outsiders, and 4) have fewer opportunities for in-house training than regular workers.…”