NCJ Number
185982
Journal
Offender Employment Report Volume: 1 Issue: 6 Dated: August/September 2000 Pages: 81-96
Date Published
2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article examines the positive and negative aspects of temporary employment agencies.
Abstract
Temporary staffing firms are frequently the most immediate or last-resort employers for ex-offenders. This is true for a number of reasons, including permanent employers' reluctance to hire ex-offenders, the need for immediate income while searching for permanent employment, and the general lack of post-release job placement services. Ex-offenders consider day-labor job opportunities, and the relatively immediate employment they offer, a godsend. However, correctional institutions, social service agencies, and nonprofit organizations that provide post-release services believe that the for-profit motive of temporary employment agencies often leads to exploitation in the form of below-market wages, no benefits or access to employee assistance programs, placement in dead-end jobs, lack of training or other work-force development opportunities, and a primary focus on job placement and not retention. Attempts to improve the situation include nonprofit job-placement agencies in partnership with temporary employment agencies and temporary employment agencies in training partnerships with local community colleges.