permatemp

[pur-muh-temp]

noun

1. a temporary or freelance worker who accepts a series of short-term assignments, thereby continuing on a long-term basis without the benefits of a permanent employee.

Word History and Origins

Origin of permatemp¹

First recorded in 1990–95; perma(nent) ( def. ) + temp ( def. )

Example Sentences

The employment of “permatemp” faculty at the University of Washington weakens undergraduate education and threatens the principle of equal opportunity in hiring.

Read more on Seattle Times

Significantly, major university contracts in California and Oregon allow the regularization of permatemp faculty.

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This may inconvenience some, but that inconvenience is nothing compared to the hardship permatemp work inflicts upon faculty.

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Microsoft was the subject of the famous “permatemp” lawsuit, a long-running class action filed by workers who accused the company of using long-term temp workers to do the work of employees while denying them the benefits that employees received.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After several years as a “permatemp” at the hotel, she’s gotten fast enough to pull in as much as $1,200 every two weeks working seven days a week.

Read more on Slate