Temporary agency workers as outsiders: an application of the established-outsider theory on the social relations between temporary agency and permanent workers

Abstract

[...]we aim to inquire into (1) why poor day-to-day relations and a power imbalance between TWA employees and their permanent colleagues arise on the shop floor, (2) how these poorer relations and this power imbalance are maintained through different mechanisms, and (3) why temporary agency workers in outsider positions find it hard to change this situation. [...]TWA employment is allowed only in a limited number of situations: (1) to replace a permanent employee whose employment contract is temporarily suspended (e.g. illness, holiday) or terminated (e.g. dismissal, breach of contract), (2) in case of a temporary increase in the amount of work, (3) to perform exceptional work (e.g. a periodic maintenance), (4) as part of an active labour market programme, and (5) as a selection procedure prior to the direct recruitment of new employees. [...]Belgian law prescribes that wages, benefits, and working schedules of TWA employees are equal to those of their fellow workers with an open-ended contract, performing the same job in the same company.; Temporary agency workers are often portrayed as peripheral workers in organisations. Hence, they present a compelling illustration of the established-outsider theory of Elias and Scotson. According to this theory, differences in social cohesion, group charisma, and power of the members of subgroups within social entities can lead to an established-outsider figuration between these subgroups, which is maintained by processes of stigmatisation and exclusion. Applying a narrative approach, we focus on social relations between temporary agency and permanent workers along three routes. First, we show how and why social cohesion, group charisma, and power possession in the established group of permanent workers shape an established-outsider figuration. Second, we discuss how mechanisms such as stigmatisation and exclusion maintain this figuration. Third, we illustrate why temporary agency workers have the feeling of being stuck in their outsider situation. To accomplish our aims, we conducted in-depth interviews with temporary agency workers in Belgium. Our analyses are focused on temporary agency workers who encountered mainly negative experiences regarding temporary agency employment.