Protecting Contingent Workers

U.S. businesses in all sectors are increasingly seeking ways to cut their labor costs, resulting in an apparent restructuring of relationships between millions of workers and their employers.  These work arrangements, called "nonstandard" or "contingent" work, encompass short-term and part-time work, outsourcing, independent contracting and subcontracting, and reliance on temporary and staffing services.

Contingent workers face lower pay and fewer benefits than their full-time permanent counterparts, discrimination, dangerous working conditions, and an almost total lack of job security. And they come from some of the most vulnerable sectors of the workforce, including women, immigrant, unorganized, low-skill, and low-wage workers.  The rise of contingent work has been facilitated by an almost total lack of enforcement of labor and employment law for these workers, as well as changes in state laws that harm nonstandard workers. 

Two groups -- the National Employment Law Project and the National Alliance for Fair Employment -- have mapped out the High Road for protecting contingent workers.  To see the best practices available, visit NELP's  Nonstandard Worker Project which seeks to ensure that all workers – temp, independent contractor, or part-timer – receive the full benefits of labor and employment laws.

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