Contingent Workers and Alternative Work Arrangements, 1995-2001

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that, between 1995 and 2001, the number of contingent workers, and the proportion of the workforce they comprise, decreased. This decrease coincided with the decline in national unemployment (and the increase in employment) during this period. During the same time period, the number of workers in alternative work arrangements fluctuated, driven mainly by changes in the number of independent contractors. This article presents the BLS data on the characteristics of contingent workers and workers in alternative work arrangements, including data on employee benefits for these types of workers