Factors Related to the Satisfaction and Performance of Temporary Employees
Jill E. Ellingson, Melissa L. Gruys, and Paul R. Sackett
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
Previous research suggests that whether temporary employees are voluntary or involuntary in their choice to pursue temporary work is related to satisfaction levels. This study investigated whether voluntarily or involuntarily pursuing temporary work is related to satisfaction and performance. Previous work has classified individuals as voluntary or involuntary when operationalizing the decision to pursue temporary work. This study used a more complex measure that addressed individuals' reasons for pursuing temporary work. Analyses were conducted using the complex measure and a traditional classification.
The results suggest 4 conclusions:
(a) a complex measure may be preferred over a dichotomous classification when operationalizing the decision to pursue temporary work,
(b) individuals who are involuntarily pursuing temporary work may be less satisfied,
(c) whether an individual voluntarily pursues temporary work appears to be unrelated to satisfaction levels, and (d) whether an individual is voluntarily or involuntarily pursuing temporary work is unrelated to performance.
Journal of Applied Psychology, 1998, Vol. 83, No. 6, 913–921, ©1998 American Psychological Association