Workers in the East Midlands are opting for multiple jobs and the flexibility of temporary working in order to improve their work-life balance, CVs, and get more work variety, according to research released today (Tuesday 3 December 2019).
The research, carried out by recruitment experts Reed Specialist Recruitment for its Temporary isn’t Temporary campaign, surveyed 5,000 workers and looked at their experience of, and attitude to, temporary and multiple career roles.
When asked about the positive benefits of temporary or short-term working contracts, a third (34%) of people living in the East Midlands cited work-life balance as the main advantage to pursuing this career structure.
More than one in five (22%) believed a flexible and varied approach to gaining work experience would help boost their CV. Whereas 18% looked to temporary work to help them avoid getting stale at a company, with 17% enjoying the new challenges created by this style of working.
However, the survey also identified the reasons that workers are being deterred from temporary working with almost half (47%) of workers saying they prefer the security of a permanent role. And,40% identifying the benefits of permanent roles, such as pensions or sick pay, as important to them.
Despite these reasons of income and financial security being of great concern, almost three quarters (73%) indicated that they were not worried about the disadvantages of non-permanent work when applying for mortgages or loans. And 79% indicated they were not worried about having to work whenever possible.
Across the UK, temporary contracts also seem to be most used by the next generation at the beginning of their careers with 17% of 25-34 year olds considering temporary employment to be their main role.
While a significant number of this age group work permanently, there is also greater than a fifth (21%) of 25-34 year olds holding more than one temporary role and 11% holding more than four temporary roles at one time.
Rob Russell, regional managing director of Reed East Midlands, said: “For workers in the East Midlands temporary working is very appealing due to the flexibility and variety of experience that comes with it.
“Our research clearly indicates that the concerns that people have about temporary working all seem to stem from financial and security reasons. However, Reed Specialist Recruitment as well as others offer pension, holiday pay and sick pay to temporary PAYE workers.
“With this barrier removed there is little stopping workers from chasing their flexible working dream. The good news is that a market with a healthy amount of temporary work can benefit both employers and employees.
“If employers can deliver the variety and quality of work at the same time as keeping the important flexibility in a role that candidate’s desire, then they can capture the best temporary workers. At Reed Specialist Recruitment we have seen the benefits this can bring to businesses that may not be able to employ some talented workers in permanent roles, but can benefit from their wisdom through a short-term contract. The traditional 9-5 is disappearing. Temporary working could become more and more common.”
