You may also hear the term contingent worker used to refer to temporary and leased employees, as well as other kinds of non-permanent work arrangements. The contingent workforce comprises many categories of workers, ranging from highly paid management consultants who are satisfied with their work arrangements to low-paid service sector workers who receive no benefits and would rather have full-time, permanent jobs.
Workers take temporary and other contingent jobs for a variety of reasons, both personal and financial. These reasons include workers' preference for a flexible schedule due to school, family, or other obligations; need for additional income; inability to find a more permanent job; and hope that the position will lead to permanent employment.