According to new data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), 9.8 million people are working at part time or temporary jobs. This is the highest number recorded since the start of the pandemic.
Research undertaken by Indeed Flex has shown that people have a preference for part time work, rather than permanent roles - with the number of workers who signed up to the Indeed Flex platform to find part time work in May 2022 up by 178.5 per cent from the same time last year.
It has been stated that these figures have been brought about by many temps desiring to work flexible days and hours, plus the rising cost of living may be encouraging workers to take on temporary work to supplement their income - as those with second jobs had increased by 5.8 per cent in March 2022 compared with the March 2021.
Novo Constare - Co-Founder and COO of Indeed Flex - suggested that the flexibility of part time work may make it more appealing - and speaking to HR magazine he said:
“Temporary work appeals to a wide range of people for a lot of reasons. It can pay well compared to a comparable permanent job, which makes it especially appealing in the current climate. Temps typically find they can get shifts that fit in with their schedule, and this allows them to work where and when they want. The current shortage of workers in industries that rely heavily on temps – such as logistics and hospitality – means flexible staff are more in demand than ever, and they are a lifeline for businesses unable to find enough staff to fill their vacant roles.”
ONS data states that job vacancies reached 1.3 million in June and companies are struggling to fill roles.
A survey of 1,000 workers on lower incomes has shown that 23 per cent were looking for temporary work, with another 40 per cent stating that they may do so within the next year.
A further survey of workers - between the ages of 18-24 - and of above average levels of education, found that 29 per cent were looking for temporary work and 37 per cent may do so within the next year.
Novo Constare remarked that the high popularity of part-time and temporary work was piling extra pressure on employers.
He added:
“Perhaps most striking of all is that for a significant majority of part-time workers, it’s a lifestyle choice. Seven out of ten part-timers do so because they want to, not because they are unable to find a full-time job.
Meanwhile, as the cost-of-living crisis bites deeper, temping is increasingly appealing to those who already have a job but want to top up their income by taking on extra shifts elsewhere.
At the same time, temporary workers are proving a lifeline for the many businesses unable to find enough staff to fill their vacant roles. For them, temps offer an efficient way to cover staff absences and fill shifts at short notice.”
