Disposable Workers

The Transformation of Employment
Over 35 percent of American workers are not treated as standard employees, denied both benefits and access to a career ladder. Paul Osterman surveyed more than 6,000 people to understand what it means to be a disposable worker. Noting that most would prefer traditional employment, Osterman offers proposals for job-quality reform.

A revealing look at the decline in formal employment in favor of hiring contractors, freelancers, temps, and marginal workers, who are excluded from traditional benefits and career ladders.

Companies cannot exist without workers, but they are increasingly reluctant to have employees. Instead of providing the benefits and protections that have traditionally come with employee status, businesses are turning to tactics that let them treat people as interchangeable parts, to be used and discarded as needed. Drawing on an original survey of over 6,000 workers, Di