Job quality and temporary agency work: Challenges for human resource management in triangular employment relations in Germany

Abstract

One of the most notable trends in the past decade has been the growth of temporary agency work. With growth rates significantly higher than standard employment, temporary agency work has attracted both public and academic attention, much of it contradictory. While some authors have argued that the flexibility of triangular employment relations allows employers to reduce labour and hiring and training costs, other researchers see agency jobs associated with low wages, minimal benefits, negligible job security, little training and no job prospects. This article intends to advance the debate on this topic by exploring the question as to whether and to what degree and areas the quality of jobs in the temporary work industry is different from regular positions. The focus is on the situation in Germany. Second, it will analyse what options are available for Human Resource Management to enhance job quality and make agency work a more attractive choice for employees. In the final step propositions for further research will be derived that serve as a basis for the development of a new, comprehensive research agenda on job quality, temporary agency work and HRM.

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