Labor Day White Paper: “America’s Changing Workforce”
Temporary and Independent Work Reaching All-Time High
Express Employment Professionals Covers the Challenges and Opportunities of this “New Normal” Workforce
Employers and Employees Must Adapt to a New Economy
OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug.25, 2014 — Express Employment Professionals, the nation’s largest franchised staffing firm, today released a Labor Day 2014 white paper exploring the rise of temporary and independent contingent employees.
The number of temporary workers, independent contingent workers and freelancers is increasing to record highs, defying previous economic trends. Looking for greater flexibility and new opportunities, Americans are turning away from the traditional employer-employee relationship and eight to five work day.
“America’s Changing Workforce and the Rise of the Contingent Employee” explores the causes of this trend. Why are workers young and old turning to temporary and freelance work? Why are businesses relying on those workers?
Drawing from a range of economic research and the insights of Express staffing industry experts and franchise owners, the white paper documents the challenges for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Express also offers recommendations on how business practices and public policy should adapt.
“America’s labor force looks far different from that of Labor Days past. Part of the reason is the rise in temporary employees,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “People are choosing temporary, independent contingent, and freelance jobs sometimes out of necessity and sometimes out of convenience.
“So do fewer full-time core workers mean a more adaptable workforce? Does temporary work pose challenges for families? The answer is, ‘Yes.’”
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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sherry Kast at (405) 717-5966.
About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. “Bob” Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has 700 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated more than $2.5 billion in temporary sales and employed nearly 400,000 people in 2013, and ranks as the largest franchised staffing company and second largest privately held staffing company in the United States. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually.