Temp, or temporary worker, is a generic term for a staff member who works under atypical employment arrangements. The terminology “employee” and “worker” have different legal meanings, with employee status being the highest level of protection for individuals under employment law.

The different types of alternative worker range from agency workers and temporary staff employed under a short or fixed-term contract, to experienced consultants and quasi-partners. In reality, the differences between these categories are often blurred.