The temp industry is more than a million dollar business. Employing over 3 million employees, temp agencies are said to be one of the fastest growing businesses in the economy today. Industries such as data processing, telecommunications, construction and a variety of other jobs are finding it easier and less expensive to hire temporary employees. However, according to some, as temp agencies expand, employee discrimination is on the rise.
Although it is not required, most applicants for temp agencies do not mind giving information about their race, age or sex. Some investigative reporters believe that information is being used to discriminate against putting certain groups of people to work. For instance, a former recruiter in a Memphis, TN, office told investigators that she was instructed by her branch manager to not hire African Americans.
Gender bias has also been a strong complaint, as it seems that more temp agencies employ female workers than male workers. Temporary workers are often paid at unequal salaries and are more prone to being hurt on the job. They do not get the same benefits and training as permanent or long-term workers.
If more and more companies opt to hire temporary workers, the inequality of pay and benefits, as well as the opportunity for discrimination, may continue to increase on a steady basis. Discrimination is an unfair practice in any agency or workplace. Federal law prohibits any individual to be discriminated against for race, gender, ethnic background or religion. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can help to stop this by standing up for your rights in a legal venue.
Source: Reveal, “Discrimination isn’t the temp industry’s only problem,” Byard Duncan, Jan. 15, 2016
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