Just over 30% of employers in the private sector say the greatest motivation for using temporary, contract or interim workers is to avoid increasing permanent headcount, whereas the greatest motivation for public sector employers is to access specific skill sets, according to new research from Hays.
 
The survey of 680 workers and 460 employees also found that while 54% of employers believe organisations need to recognise the benefits brought by a mix of temporary and permanent staff, 59% of workers say their employers have a mixed view about flexible labour, with just 19% claiming their employers see flexible labour as integral to their success.

Charles Logan, director at Hays, says: “As we start to see signs of an improvement in the economy a flexible workforce will be essential in allowing businesses to grow, without the commitment of a permanent member of staff. The private sector could be missing the opportunity to use a flexible workforce as a key part of their plans, to take better advantage of the upturn and drive recovery.”