| The purpose of this series of related papers is to evaluate the impact of contingent employment on the workforce. Each paper addresses a specific topic: (1) the history, growth, and characteristics of contingent employment in America; (2) benefits and liabilities for employers who use contingent employment arrangements; (3) employment benefits and labor protections provided to contingent workers; (4) and the misclassification of employees as independent contractors. In each paper, I use data collected from government reports and existing published research to examine the dynamics of contingent employment in each topic area. The term contingent employment applies to a number of alternative employment arrangements in a variety of occupations and industries. During the last two decades of the twentieth century the size of the contingent workforce has increased. In part, the increase is due to the global economy compelling employers to develop more flexible and efficient alternative employment arrangements. Employment benefit programs and labor law protections are primarily designed based on traditional employment relationships. Also, employer classification of a worker as an independent contractor or an employee is directly related to a worker's entitlement to employment benefit programs and labor protections. |
