Fewer hours worked for temp job agencies

In the third quarter of 2012, the amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs was 4 percent down on the preceding quarter. The number of hours worked in temp jobs had decreased slightly in the second quarter. The index (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A reached 111 in the third quarter. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.

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. The seasonally adjusted number of hours worked in stage B and C temp jobs fell by more than 1 percent in the third quarter relative to the preceding quarter. The total amount of hours worked in temp jobs was more than 3 percent lower than in the second quarter.

Apart from the number of hours worked in temp jobs, other indicators for the labour market also deteriorated. The number of jobs dropped further in the third quarter. The number of job vacancies was slightly below the level in the second quarter. Unemployment continued to rise in October. In November, eight in ten consumers anticipated that unemployment would rise in the next twelve months.

Hours worked in stage A temp jobs

For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.