Is Permanent Work a Thing of the Past?

Yesterday, MSN posted an article that discusses how people are only finding work as a temporary employee.

Why is that?

It could depend on the industry they work in or that companies aren't looking for permanent positions.  Either way, that leaves a lot of workers behind. 

When you work a temporary job, you lose a lot of stability.  Your "job" could end at any moment without notice.  You also don't have vacation time, sick time, or health benefits in most cases.  Although some temporary agencies offer health benefits to their temps, you have to work so many hours with them to be eligible.

It almost seems as if employees are left to fend for themselves in this slow-growth economy.  Would it be better for them to become independent contractors instead?  It would mostly depend on the type of work they do but it's definitely an option worth looking into.  Most independent contractors make a decent salary and their work is dictated more by themselves than the other party involved.

What do you think?  Is it fair that the majority of companies are only hiring temps?  Is being an independent contractor better than being a temp?

We welcome your comments below.