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Labor

Temp Land

Lost Wages, High Injury Rates, Few Benefits

Temp employment is climbing to record levels following the Great Recession. The system benefits brand-name companies but harms American workers through lost wages, high injury rates, few if any benefits, and little opportunity for advancement.

21 stories published since 2013

New Bill in Illinois Would Increase Temp Worker Protections

by Michael Grabell,

Illinois Revokes License of Temp Agency Check Cashing Store

by Michael Grabell,

California Governor Signs Bill to Protect Temp Workers

by Michael Grabell,

California Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Temp Workers

by Michael Grabell,

Senator Asks OSHA About Temp Worker Buried Alive In Sugar

by Michael Grabell,

Sugar Plant Removed Safety Device 13 Days before Temp Worker’s Death

by Michael Grabell,

Hummus Maker Warned of 'Extreme Safety Risk' Before Temp Worker’s Death

by Michael Grabell,

California Considers Bill to Protect Temp Workers

by Michael Grabell,

A Modern Day 'Harvest of Shame'

by Michael Grabell,

Temp Worker Regulations Around the World

by Lena V. Groeger and Michael Grabell,

U.S. Lags Behind World in Temp Worker Protections

by Michael Grabell,

Podcast: Outsourcing Labor, Injuries to the Growing Temp Industry

by Minhee Cho,

How to Improve Temp Worker Safety

by Michael Grabell,

Temporary Work, Lasting Harm

by Michael Grabell, Jeff Larson and Olga Pierce,

Podcast: Rise of the Blue-Collar “Permatemp”

by Minhee Cho,

The Expendables: How the Temps Who Power Corporate Giants Are Getting Crushed

by Michael Grabell,

Graphic: How to Fit 17 People in a Minivan

by Michael Grabell and Krista Kjellman Schmidt,

Los Sacrificables: Como Los Temps Que Dan Fuerza A Grandes Empresas Están Siendo Aplastados

by Michael Grabell,

Llevados al Engaño: Agencias de Trabajo Temporal y ‘Raiteros’ en Chicago

by Michael Grabell,

Taken for a Ride: Temp Agencies and 'Raiteros' in Immigrant Chicago

by Michael Grabell,

Where Does the Workers' Money Go?

by Michael Grabell and Krista Kjellman Schmidt,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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