Worker Representation and Temporary Employment in Germany: The Deployment and Extent of Fixed-Term Contracts and Temporary Agency Work

Arbeitspapier

This study examines the potential impact of works councils and unions on the deployment of fixed-term contracts and agency temps. We report inter al. that works councils are associated with a higher number of temporary agency workers when demand volatility is high while the opposite holds for fixed-term contracts. These disparities likely reflect differences in function, with agency work being more directed toward the protection of a shrinking core and fixed-term contacts being as much a port of entry as a buffer stock. We are also able to identify the number of new hires with a fixed-term contract as well as the number of FTC conversions (into regular employment) and renewals, the correlates of which flows are broadly consistent with the stock data.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 11378

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure ; Labor Demand ; Labor Contracts ; Particular Labor Markets: Public Policy ; Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects ; Labor Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs ; Labor Law
• Subject: agency temps ; fixed-term contracts ; stepping stones ; buffer stocks ; labor market duality ; extensive/intensive margins ; works councils ; unions ; collective bargaining ; demand volatility ; complementarity ; Germany

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Addison, John T. ; Teixeira, Paulino ; Grunau, Philipp ; Bellmann, Lutz
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2018

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/177182
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET