The document summarizes the findings of a poll conducted by SHRM on staffing levels and the use of contingent and part-time workers. Key findings include: 1) Over half of organizations expect their use of temporary workers to remain the same over the next three years. 2) Over a third of organizations do not currently use contract employees. 3) Nearly two-thirds of organizations expect their reliance on full-time vs contingent workers to remain the same. 4) The top reasons for using contingent staff are to complete projects and for additional resources during busy seasons. 5) Just over 10% of organizations frequently hire temporary workers into permanent roles.

1. May 9, 2011SHRM Poll: Staff Levels and the Use of Contingent and Part-time Workers

2. Key FindingsThe future use of temporary workers will remain relatively stable. More than one-half (51%) of poll respondents predict that over the next three years, their organizations’ reliance on temporary workers will remain about the same. A little over one-tenth (13%) predict having to rely more on temporary workers, while approximately the same number of organizations (14%) expect to rely less on temporary workers. Almost a quarter (22%) of organizations don’t currently use nor do they plan to use temporary workers.

3. More than one-third of organizations currently do not use contract employees. Of those that do, over the next three years, 41% expect the use of contract employees to be about the same as it is now. Few organizations reported changes in the use of contract workers over the next three years (12% will rely more on these workers and 11% will rely less).

4. Forecasted outlook for organizations’ reliance on full-time employees and contingent workers is expected to remain the same. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of organizations expect to have about the same reliance on full-time employees and contingent workers over the next three years. More than a quarter (29%) expect to rely more on full-time employees and less on contingent workers.

5. The top reasons organizations use contingent staff are to complete specific projects (27%) and to use as an additional resource during certain business or seasonal cycles (25%).

6. Most organizations do not convert temporary workers to full-time permanent positions. Just a little more than one-tenth (12%) of organizations reported that they almost always or frequently hire a temporary worker as a full-time employee. A quarter (25%) said this sometimes happens, and almost two-thirds (64%) stated that this never or rarely happens. 2

7. Over the Next Three Years, How Do You Expect the Use of the Following Staffing Options to Change for Your Organization? 3n = 320

8. Over the Next Three Years, How Do You Expect the Use Regular Part-time Employees to Change in Your Organization? Comparison by Organization Staff SizeRegular part-time employees: Larger organizations (those with 2,500 to 24,999 employees) were more likely than small organizations (1 to 99 employees) to report that they plan to use regular part-time employees over the next three years. 4

9. Over the Next Three Years, How Do You Expect the Use of the Following Staffing Options to Change for Your Organization? 5(Analysis excludes organizations that currently DO NOT use nor plan to use contingent and part-time workers)Note: n = 272. Totals do not equal 100% due to rounding. Organizations that don’t currently use nor plan to use part-time and contingent workers were excluded from this analysis.

10. Over the Next Three Years, How Do You Expect the Use of Full-time Employees to Change for Your Organization? 6n = 317

11. Which of the Following Is the Primary Reason Your Organization Relies on Contingent Workforce Strategies (e.g., Contract Employees, Temporary Employees, Outsourced Work, etc.)?7Note: n = 299. Total does include ‘not applicable” or “not sure” responses. Total does not equal 100% due to rounding.

12. Generally, for What Types of Positions Does Your Organization Use Contract or Temporary Workers?8n = 304

13. Approximately How Often Does Your Organization Hire Contract or Temporary Workers Who Are Converted to Permanent Full-time Positions (i.e., Temp-to-perm Conversion)? 9Note : n = 319. Total does not equal 100% due to rounding.

14. Demographics: Organization Industry10n = 308

15. Demographics: Organization Industry (continued)11n = 308