Research suggests that contingent workers are an increasingly important component of the workforce in many industrialized advanced countries, including Canada. Following are possible risks arising from using PT workers:

The literature suggests contingent work arrangements can result in:

• Decreased trust between employer and contingent workers
• Decreased trust between permanent workers and contingent workers
• Decreased work commitment, productivity, engagement, and increased stress
• Decreased sense of job security

Decreased trust can result in negative/deviant behaviors such as showing up late, leaving early, disappearing for extended periods during shifts, sabotaging work of others, withholding crucial information and/or resources.

Organizations and supervisors need to be prepared to counter the lack of trust which may arise when PT workers are used.  Effective supervision and communication are key to achieving the desired  performance.