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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Temporary Help Employment In Recession And Recovery, Susan Houseman, Carolyn Heinrich
Temporary Help Employment In Recession And Recovery, Susan Houseman, Carolyn Heinrich
Susan N. Houseman
The temporary help industry, although small, plays a significant role in the macro economy, reflecting employers’ growing reliance on temporary help agencies to provide flexibility in meeting staffing needs. Drawing on detailed temporary-help order data between 2007 and 2011 from a large, nationally representative staffing company, we provide insights into the characteristics of temporary help work, employers’ use of temporary agencies to screen workers for permanent positions, and the industry’s role in labor market adjustment over the business cycle. We estimate that the temporary help industry accounted for a large share of gross job losses and job gains over this …
The Potential Effects Of Federal Health Insurance Reforms On Employment Arrangements And Compensation, Marcus Dillender, Carolyn Heinrich, Susan Houseman
The Potential Effects Of Federal Health Insurance Reforms On Employment Arrangements And Compensation, Marcus Dillender, Carolyn Heinrich, Susan Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) presents an opportunity to significantly improve compensation for American workers. A potential concern, though, is that employers will circumvent the employer mandate by increasing their use of workers in staffing arrangements that are not covered by the mandate: workers averaging less than 30 hours per week, working on a temporary basis, or working in organizations with fewer than 50 full-time employees. In this paper, we shed light on the likely effects that the ACA will have on employment arrangements. We first examine how part-time employment in Massachusetts changed after its health insurance reform, which is …
Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek
Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek
George A. Erickcek
No abstract provided.
The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
George A. Erickcek
We examine why employers use temporary agency and contract company workers and the implications of these practices for the wages, benefits, and working conditions of workers in low-skilled labor markets. Through intensive case studies in manufacturing (automotive supply), services (hospitals), and public sector (primary and secondary schools) industries, we define the circumstances under which these workers are likely to be adversely affected, minimally affected, or even benefited by such outsourcing. Adverse effects on compensation are clearest when companies substitute agency temporaries or contract company workers for regular employees on a long-term basis because low-skilled workers within the organization receive relatively …
Temporary Employment In Auto Supply, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
Temporary Employment In Auto Supply, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
George A. Erickcek
No abstract provided.
Summary Findings Of A Report On Temporary, Part-Time, And Contract Employment In The United States, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman
Summary Findings Of A Report On Temporary, Part-Time, And Contract Employment In The United States, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman
George A. Erickcek
No abstract provided.
Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes? A Pilot Analysis With Welfare Clients, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes? A Pilot Analysis With Welfare Clients, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
We draw upon administrative data from an unusual policy experiment in the state of Michigan to study the effects of temporary agency employment among welfare-to-work clients on job retention, program recidivism, and earnings. To identify these effects, we exploit the fact that welfare-to-work clients in one Michigan county were randomly assigned to service providers who had substantially different placement rates in temporary agencies but otherwise similar policies. Our findings indicate that moving welfare clients who otherwise would have been unemployed into temporary agency jobs provides some benefits to these workers, primarily by increasing their short-term earnings. Temporary agency jobs also …
The Policy Implications Of Nonstandard Work Arrangements, Susan N. Houseman
The Policy Implications Of Nonstandard Work Arrangements, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Manufacturers' Outsourcing To Employment Services, Matthew Dey, Susan N. Houseman, Anne E. Polivka
Manufacturers' Outsourcing To Employment Services, Matthew Dey, Susan N. Houseman, Anne E. Polivka
Susan N. Houseman
We estimate the effects of manufacturers' use of employment services—comprised primarily of temporary help and professional employer organizations—on measured employment and labor productivity in manufacturing between 1989 and 2004. A major contribution of the paper is the construction of panel data on employment by occupation and industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics program. We use these data to document the dramatic rise of production and other manual occupations within the employment services sector and, in conjunction with information from the Contingent Worker Supplements, to estimate the number of employment services workers assigned to manufacturing over the period. Although measured employment …
Part-Time And Temporary Employment In Japan, Susan Houseman, Machiko Osawa
Part-Time And Temporary Employment In Japan, Susan Houseman, Machiko Osawa
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
The Growth Of Nonstandard Employment In Japan And The United States: A Comparison Of Causes And Consequences, Susan Houseman, Machiko Osawa
The Growth Of Nonstandard Employment In Japan And The United States: A Comparison Of Causes And Consequences, Susan Houseman, Machiko Osawa
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Testimony Before The Working Group On The Benefit Implications Of The Growth In The Contingent Workforce: U.S. Department Of Labor, Susan N. Houseman
Testimony Before The Working Group On The Benefit Implications Of The Growth In The Contingent Workforce: U.S. Department Of Labor, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Labor Standards In Alternative Work Arrangements, Susan Houseman
Labor Standards In Alternative Work Arrangements, Susan Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
The Benefits Implications Of Recent Trends In Flexible Staff Arrangements, Susan N. Houseman
The Benefits Implications Of Recent Trends In Flexible Staff Arrangements, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
Workers in flexible staffing arrangements - including temporary agency, direct-hire temporary, on-call, and contract workers - are much less likely than regular, direct-hire employees to be covered by laws mandating or regulating workplace benefits. Workers in such arrangements, in turn, are much less likely to receive pension, health insurance, and other benefits on the job. This paper documents these differences in coverage by benefits regulations and differences in benefits receipt. The paper also reviews evidence on the incentives employers have to use workers in these various flexible staffing arrangements. Although reducing benefits costs is not the only reason employers use …
Why Employers Use Flexible Staffing Arrangements: Evidence From An Establishment Survey, Susan N. Houseman
Why Employers Use Flexible Staffing Arrangements: Evidence From An Establishment Survey, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
This paper examines which employers use flexible staffing arrangements, why they use these arrangements, and their implications for workers and public policy, drawing on a nationally representative survey of private sector establishments. Use of flexible staffing arrangements-including temporary help agency, short-term, on-call, regular part-time, and contract workers-is widespread and two-thirds of employers believe this use will increase in the near future. Traditional reasons concerning the need to accommodate fluctuations in workload or absences in staff are the most commonly cited reasons for using all types of flexible staffing arrangements. Many employers also use agency temporaries and part-time workers to screen …
Do Temporary-Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes For Low-Skilled Workers? Evidence From "Work First", David Autor, Susan Houseman
Do Temporary-Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes For Low-Skilled Workers? Evidence From "Work First", David Autor, Susan Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Temporary Agency Employment: A Way Out Of Poverty?, David Autor, Susan Houseman
Temporary Agency Employment: A Way Out Of Poverty?, David Autor, Susan Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Temporary Employment In Auto Supply, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
Temporary Employment In Auto Supply, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
The Implications Of Flexible Staffing Arrangements For Job Stability, Susan N. Houseman, Anne E. Polivka
The Implications Of Flexible Staffing Arrangements For Job Stability, Susan N. Houseman, Anne E. Polivka
Susan N. Houseman
In this paper, we examine the job stability of workers in a wide range of flexible staffing arrangements: agency temporary, direct-hire temporary, on-call, contract company, independent contractor, and regular part-time work. We draw upon two data sources in our analysis. The first is a nationwide survey of employers on their use of flexible staffing arrangements conducted by the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. This survey provides evidence on why employers use various types of flexible staffing arrangements and the extent to which employers move workers in these positions into regular arrangements within their organization. The second data source is the …
Does "Work First" Work? The Long-Term Consequences Of Temporary Agency And Direct-Hire Job Placements, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Does "Work First" Work? The Long-Term Consequences Of Temporary Agency And Direct-Hire Job Placements, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
A principal objective of the welfare reform act of 1996 (PRWORA) was to encourage welfare recipients to obtain jobs rapidly, a strategy termed "Work First." Much analysis shows that Work First raises the incidence of direct-hire and—in a sizable minority of cases—temporary-help agency jobs among welfare clients. But the effect of these jobs on longer term labor market outcomes, such as labor force participation, earnings, and welfare recidivism, is unknown. Because welfare recipients who obtain jobs rapidly are positively selected from the pool of all Work First participants, a simple comparison of long-term outcomes among job takers and non-takers is …
The Benefits Implications Of Recent Trends In Flexible Staffing Arrangements, Susan Houseman
The Benefits Implications Of Recent Trends In Flexible Staffing Arrangements, Susan Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Introduction [To Nonstandard Work In Developed Economies], Susan Houseman, Machiko Osawa
Introduction [To Nonstandard Work In Developed Economies], Susan Houseman, Machiko Osawa
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Female Workers As A Buffer In The Japanese Economy, Susan Houseman, Katharine Abraham
Female Workers As A Buffer In The Japanese Economy, Susan Houseman, Katharine Abraham
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek
Temporary Services And Contracting Out: Effects On Low-Skilled Workers, Susan N. Houseman, George A. Erickcek
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Summary Findings Of A Report On Temporary, Part-Time, And Contract Employment In The United States, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman
Summary Findings Of A Report On Temporary, Part-Time, And Contract Employment In The United States, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
The Effects Of Temporary Services And Contracting Out On Low-Skilled Workers: Evidence From Auto Suppliers, Hospitals, And Public Schools, George A. Erickcek, Susan N. Houseman, Arne L. Kalleberg
Susan N. Houseman
We examine why employers use temporary agency and contract company workers and the implications of these practices for the wages, benefits, and working conditions of workers in low-skilled labor markets. Through intensive case studies in manufacturing (automotive supply), services (hospitals), and public sector (primary and secondary schools) industries, we define the circumstances under which these workers are likely to be adversely affected, minimally affected, or even benefited by such outsourcing. Adverse effects on compensation are clearest when companies substitute agency temporaries or contract company workers for regular employees on a long-term basis because low-skilled workers within the organization receive relatively …
Part-Time Employment In Europe And Japan, Susan Houseman
Part-Time Employment In Europe And Japan, Susan Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Temporary Agency Employment As A Way Out Of Poverty?, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Temporary Agency Employment As A Way Out Of Poverty?, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
The high incidence of temporary agency employment among participants in government employment programs has catalyzed debate about whether these jobs help the poor transition into stable employment and out of poverty. We provide direct evidence on this question through analysis of a Michigan welfare-to-work program in which program participants were randomly allocated across service providers ('contractors') with different job placement practices. We draw on a telephone survey of contractors and on administrative program data linked with wage records data on all participants entering the program over a three-and-a half-year period. Our survey evidence documents a consensus among contractors that temporary …
Introduction And Overview [To Working Time, Vol. Ii], Susan Houseman, Alice Nakamura
Introduction And Overview [To Working Time, Vol. Ii], Susan Houseman, Alice Nakamura
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.
Do Temporary Jobs Help Low-Skilled Workers? Surprising Data From Detroit, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Do Temporary Jobs Help Low-Skilled Workers? Surprising Data From Detroit, David H. Autor, Susan N. Houseman
Susan N. Houseman
No abstract provided.