“You are just a temp” : intersectional experiences of temporary help agency workers In Nova Scotia

Abstract

This paper examines the intersectional experiences of temporary help agency workers. Temporary help agency work is overrepresented by women and individuals occupying multiple marginalized categories of identity, such as race. I interview eight individuals about their experiences as temporary help agency workers, using an intersectional lens to better understand the complexity of their experiences as they relate to categories of identity. I use critical discourse analysis to analyze their interviews and find that consistent themes emerge related to insecurity and precariousness, as well as competence and professionalism. These themes are explored in the context of intersectional identities. This analysis provides insight into a marginalized population of workers who are understudied in current organizational research