Forties People

Temporary positions could be the ideal way for people to find forty-plus jobs in the current economic climate.

This is the view of Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), who pointed out that temporary work provides benefits for jobseekers and employers alike.

Given that some businesses are currently expressing their caution at taking on permanent, full-time staff in forty-plus jobs, Mr Hadley remarked that temporary positions can help to remove the elements of risk surrounding recruitment.

"It gives employers the chance to react quickly to new opportunities in a challenging market as well as providing a vital outlet," he said.

By taking on temporary staff, Mr Hadley added that firms can also help to take the pressure off staff in permanent positions such as office jobs.

According to the REC's latest Jobs Outlook survey, 94 per cent of businesses are planning to maintain or expand their permanent workforce in the next 12 months and a fifth said they will expand their use of temporary workers.