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Temping Positions in Today’s Job Market [by Karen A. Lefkowitz] In the wake of a declining economy and cutbacks in hiring, many law firms and legal professionals are relying on temporary contract work to meet their needs.
According to the 2004-05 Occupational
ize in legal positions.
work in a positive light,” Mr. Masterson said. “Employers are looking at temporary work
Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), legal professionals
Other motivations a legal organization might
as a training ground; they are now looking at
can be adversely affected by cyclical swings
have for hiring temporary workers are: re-
the substantive nature of the work and giving
in the economy and the business cycle. Tem-
quiring individuals with specialized skills, de-
employees credit for it.”
porary contract positions often provide an
sire to not add more permanent employees,
economical solution. Firms get the benefit of
special projects with specific time lengths, or
Mrs. Maginnis added that temping has some
added help without having to make long-term
an immediate need to fill a position.
career advantages for workers. “It is a nice way for entry levels to see what law firms are
staffing commitments, and workers who otherwise might go unemployed gain flexible
Janice James, a Certified Staffing Profes-
like; the culture differs quite a bit between
work arrangements and the possibility that
sional who also works at Pat Taylor &
firms,” she noted. “Temping is a way for
the short-term arrangement might turn into
Associates, stated, “Litigation in particular
entry levels to also see what area of law suits
permanent positions.
is a driving force behind hiring temporary
them best.”
workers. This is the biggest area of law that Susan Maginnis, a certified staffing profes-
consistently utilizes temporary employees.”
After deciding to pursue temporary work, an employee must select a temporary agency
sional (CSP) at Pat Taylor & Associates in
or firm and then typically pass a screen-
Washington, DC, stated that “there are a
There are many advantages associated with
variety of reasons law firms use temps. It
temporary work from the employee perspec-
ing process. Pat Taylor & Associates has
depends upon the work they are doing for a
tive.
specific procedures for selecting temporary
client and the number of people they need.
candidates. Paul Masterson, Director of West Coast
“For instance, they may need 40 people to
Operations of Update Legal, a full-service
review documents in a short period of time
placement firm for the legal industry, stated
didates, check references and education,
and therefore do not have the time nor incli-
that the benefits include “flexibility, variety,
and have them fill out different forms, for
nation to hire permanent employees. Another
good hourly pay, quality of life, and control.”
example, a confidentiality form. We introduce
Mrs. Maginnis stated, “We interview can-
candidates to others in the office so that ev-
reason is cost effectiveness.” Mrs. James added, “It allows people to stay
eryone can get a better sense of the person;
The BLS reported that beginning in the
in their field while they look for something
that way we are able to market the individual
1980s, work arrangements began to shift
permanent and provides valuable opportuni-
to the client better.”
from primarily full-time wage and salary
ties to network.”
work to include more temporary work. Tem-
Other staffing companies require testing and
porary work arrangements that outsource
Salaries for temporary legal staff positions
employees have grown. Labor economists
range from $20/hr to $35/hr. A permanent
agree that the practice is a permanent and
position, in contrast, can range from $15/hr
Assignment lengths for contract jobs can
growing feature of the new economy.
to $51/hr, depending on the position.
vary from one day to even two years, accord-
Demand for temporary workers has helped
The negative stigma previously attached to
fuel the increase in temporary agencies
temping has disappeared, experts say. “Fu-
Experts say clients are demanding in the
across the U.S., including ones that special-
ture employers are now viewing temporary
qualifications they want, even for tempo-
conflict and background checks.
ing to Mrs. James.
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