Motivation Assessments of Temporary Agency Workers – an Empirical Analysis Based on Appraisals Compiled by Hiring Companies

We investigate the relationship between individual and job-related characteristics and motivation assessments of temporary agency workers. To do so, we make use of a unique dataset from one of Germany’s largest temporary work agencies. For 3,000 temporary agency workers, a subjective motivation appraisal is provided by the respective direct manager within the hiring company. We observe a positive relationship between the decision on transition to regular employment and the motivation assessment of temporary agency workers. Women in temporary agency work receive higher appraisals than men. However, the relation between project duration and motivation assessment is more pronounced for males. A change of the hiring company with follow-up projects is negatively related to motivation assessments of temporary agency workers. Hypothesis 4: There is a positive relationship between remaining with a hiring company on a follow-up project and the motivation assessment of the temporary agency worker.