The Dilemma of Contract Industrial Staff: How to Use Contract Workers More Productively

There has been a major growth during 1983–4 in firms' use of temporary or contract industrial workers. They are often the first resort for handling not only projects like stripdown maintenance but also peak production work and ad hoc orders arising in the wake of recession. They provide flexible help until order books strengthen sufficiently to warrant increases in full time staff. However, firms should know exactly what is being provided and on what terms.