Further increase in number of hours worked in temp jobs

The amount of hours worked in temp jobs increased for the fifth consecutive quarter. In the second quarter of 2011, it grew by more than 2 percent relative to the preceding quarter. This means growth was less substantial than in the first quarter, when the number of hours worked in temp jobs increased by nearly 4 percent. Adjusted for seasonal variation, the index figure (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A was 120.4.

Stage A includes people working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both parties – employer and employee – to terminate the contract than in the subsequent stages B and C. Just as the number of hours worked in stage A, the number of hours worked in stage B and C grew for the fifth quarter running compared with the preceding quarter, but the increase in hours worked in stage B and C was far less substantial than the increase in hours worked in stage A.

According to the Survey on Business Services conducted by Statistics Netherlands, the mood among temp job agencies was fairly optimistic in July and August. Entrepreneurs were particularly positive about their expected turnover in the next three months and about the economic climate.

Hours worked in stage A temp jobs