temporary work

As UPS gears up for its busiest time of year by hiring about 50,000 temporary workers, the world's largest package-delivery service said it expects to ship about 7.5% more packages this holiday season than it did a year ago.

The sector specializing in short-term and freelance jobs has taken on a split personality of sorts. Demand for contractors is ticking upward, but pay rates are going the other way.

Temporary employment is on the rise as companies beginning to grow again opt to hedge their bets. According to workplace consultant Lynn Taylor, author of "Tame Your TOT" (Terrible Office Tyrant), this trend offers advantages and hazards to employers and employees alike. "Both sides have gotten...

Waiting for an economic recovery to trigger new job creation is like showing up for brunch in New York City without reservations . . . be prepared to sit around for a while. According to a recent study by outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a copy of which DailyFinance...

Update May 2009: Conventional wisdom says that employment lags behind in a economic recovery, as companies wait to make sure the upswing has legs before hiring. Temp agencies may be called on to staff the early days of the recovery, so give them a try. A hard-working temp frequently turns into a...