Introduction. Temporary agency work (TAW) means performing work in
a client organization for a limited time. Workers thus continuously switch
to different assignments, which often are similar in nature so that
workers can quickly learn and perform well on the job. This constitutes a
context with specific conditions for individual career development, but
there is limited research focusing on individual possibilities - or hinders -
to create meaningful and sustainable careers in TAW.
Purpose. Therefore, this qualitative study explores whether and in what
way temporary agency workers can use individual agency to influence
their personal development and person-environment fit in meaningful
ways to increase career sustainability, momentarily or over time.
Methods. We conducted semi-structured theme-focused interviews with
22 temporary agency workers. All interview material was transcribed
verbatime. By means of narrative analysis, five typical narratives were
identified: (a) TAW as secure flexibility, (b) TAW as side gig, (c) TAW as
stepping stone, (d) Return to work as TAW, and (e) TAW as dead-end.
Results. The five narratives offer different perspectives on development
and meaningfulness. TAW is seen as an investment in future career
sustainability, an investment into regaining sustainability, an indirect
investment in a future sustainable career, or as a sustainable or
unsustainable situation in itself. In each narrative, individualized career
development required agency, which was experienced as restricted due
to the employment contract (e.g., work tasks and responsibilities defined
in contract) and the TAW policy of the client organization (buffer vs.
recruitment strategy). Career development was mainly shaped by
changing assignments or - in an envisioned future - being directly
employed by the client organization.
Conclusions. The five different narratives elicit how temporary agency
workers can become (or are hindered from) being agentic to create
meaning around TAW and their careers. In addition, occupationalidentity
playsavitalroletodefineasustainable person-environment fit.