The Changing Landscape of Temporary Work on Long Island

In the ever-evolving workforce, temporary employment has become increasingly prevalent across various industries. From software developers to warehouse workers, a significant portion of the workforce now falls under the temporary category. However, the demand for temporary workers has far outpaced the available candidates, creating a shortage in the market. This shortage has been further amplified by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing many workers to retire or leave their jobs permanently. The impact of these changes is particularly evident on Long Island, where the temporary workforce has experienced fluctuations in recent years.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, the Long Island temporary workforce reached nearly 13,000 in 2016 before declining. However, as of 2022, it has seen a resurgence, with over 10,342 temporary workers recorded. Despite this increase, there is still a shortage of qualified candidates to fill these positions. The candidate shortage was exacerbated by the pandemic, and even though workers are gradually returning to the job market, the shortage persists.

One contributing factor to the difficulty in recruiting temporary workers is the issue of wages. While there has been an increase in wages, it has not kept pace with inflation. Rising inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, making it more challenging to attract and retain employees. Although wages have gone up, the rate of inflation has outpaced these increases, creating a challenging environment for recruitment efforts.

Temporary work has traditionally constituted only a small portion of the overall workforce. However, project-based work is gaining popularity, and more individuals are seeking part-time or temporary positions. According to Smartestdollar.com, in 2023, only 1.2% of the New York workforce was temporary, while 17% worked part-time. Nationwide, temporary workers accounted for about 2.1% of employment in March 2022, which decreased to approximately 1.9% by April 2023. However, certain industries had a higher proportion of temporary workers, such as production, transportation and materials moving, and computer and math.

To meet the demand for temporary workers, recruitment processes have shifted primarily to online platforms. Zoom interviews have become commonplace as part of the pre-employment screening and selection process. Candidates are often required to fill out online forms, a departure from the traditional in-person approach. Despite these changes, temporary placement agencies continue to screen and select workers, evaluating both hard skills and soft skills.

The desire for remote work has become a significant consideration for both workers and employers. More than half of temporary workers worked remotely in 2022, according to Staffing Industry Analysts. The flexibility offered by gig work has also gained popularity, allowing workers to determine their own schedules and choose the jobs they want to take. Additionally, the temp-to-perm model has become prevalent, providing a trial period for employers and employees to evaluate each other before committing to permanent positions.

The landscape of temporary work on Long Island and beyond is continually evolving. As the workforce becomes more diverse and individuals seek greater flexibility in their employment, temporary work is likely to play an increasingly vital role. Balancing the needs of employers and workers in this changing environment will require innovative approaches and a focus on creating a positive candidate experience.