Is it discrimination to be constantly referred to as a "TEMP" on your assignments?

Question

I have a BS in Finance and work for an agency that contracts me to the major studios (WB, Disney, etc.) and I don't mind being a temporary but its beginning to bother being referred to as "THE TEMP" like I have some kind of disease. My supervisor of DISNEY sent an email with SUBJECT as" Account for new temp"

Answer 1

Temp, or temporary employee, is a common business title. Anyone who is not a permanent employee, especially if you are working through a third-party agency is a temp.

I know there is a feeling that temps are looked down upon. They are not as highly valued because they are perceived to be less qualified, otherwise, they would have been hired as a permanent employee. They are also viewed as transitory person so there is no point in establishing a friendship; they won't be there very long.

There is not much you can do about it. Just do your job to the best of your ability and forget about people's attitude. Many people just out of college start as a temp and move on to a permanent position later. View this as a resume building exercise.

Answer 2

If you were hired as temporary help then no it is not discrimination. Temp is just an acronym for Temporary. If you were hired as a full time employee it is still not discrimination. The person using that term has a poor choice of words and should be tactfully corrected. Honestly if you are making good money and like your job., Let it roll off your back and think what you will of the person making the comment or sending you the memo. Don't be thin skeined, your life will have rougher ups and downs than this. Take it from me I was in the work force for 42 years and have been called just about everything in the book. It is your job so it has to be you to draw the line. Right now I would leave the line alone. Just take it on the chin and draw your pay check. If it has sexual co-notation attached., take a stand !

Answer 3

It is not a legally protected status, so technically, being a temp is not discrimination.

Temp may also be your official title (or an abbreviation for temporary financial analyst).

It’s not really a god thing to always be reminded you aren’t an official member of the group though, so I see your point. The next time it happens, you could try to make it into something else, like jokingly saying "yes, it's true I'm temporary, how sad that you only get to enjoy the benefits of my contributions for a short time." More seriously, you could suggest to your supervisor that they use you full title for less confusion, e.g. “temporary financial analyst." Even better, point out that not everyone knows “temp,’ and that it would be more efficient and easier for everyone to be organized if they all know who is talking about whom. Furthermore, although it’s not such a big deal, you feel that your supervisor and coworkers are being a bit dismissive, which could hurt the working environment. Therefore think it is in the company’s best interest to refer to you by your name instead of an abbreviated (and non-descriptive) version of your title.
Finally, you could get snappy (you are temporarily there,” and respond “I have a name, and it’s “x.” I would appreciate it if you referred to me by it, just as I extend the courtesy of calling you Mike (whatever their name is) instead of “Account Manager” (whatever their title is).

Answer 4

It is not discrimination because you are a temp, however, it shows unprofessionalism on the business's part and is just plain disrespectful. You have a name and people should refer to you by your name. I doubt they would enjoy it if you referred to them by their job titles. I'm not a temp, but I get referred to as she and her when I'm standing in right next to this certain person, and I find it difficult to believe that his mother brought him up without any type of manners at all. I feel your pain.

Answer 5

no, it's not discrimination...b/c you are a "temp". i'm a "temp" too:) i never had it bother me, though.
if i didn't want to be a "temp" then i would find something that was "permanent" so, then i could be a "perm" instead of a "temp".

i enjoy various job assignments and not getting bored at my job b/c it gets monotanous. temping allows me to do many things and learn about various job fields.

you're probably feeling more disrespected than discriminated. you are probably feeling like people aren't taking you seriously, since you are a permanent "fixture" there.

if you are just venting to us, then feel free to vent. if you are truly unhappy with your job, then try applying to some of the studios you've worked at for a permanent position. they have already seen your work ethic, maybe they might have something for you.

i wish you luck fellow "temp" :)

Answer 6

Its not discrimation. If you work for an agency that sends you on assignments, then you are a temp. Until and unless you are hired full time thats what you are. If you dont like it then get a full time job and stop temping.

Answer 7

no it is not discrimination, unless of course you aren't a temp and your name isnt temp, then you might construe it as a degrading thing to be called unless everyone in the organization calls everyone temp.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, that's the term that businesses have used forever.

You could asked that you be referred to as a "contractor", but I doubt it would stick.

Answer 9

well are you actually a temp for this coompany or an official employee?

Answer 10

Don't take offense so easily. You are temporary so get over it.