It's been some considerable time, but I spent some time some decades ago working as a temp. In many cases -- institutional and/or individual perspectives -- it

It's been some considerable time, but I spent some time some decades ago working as a temp. In many cases -- institutional and/or individual perspectives -- it's essentially a class system. Regardless of ability, temps are "second class citizens". Or perhaps we should start to think of it as a "caste" system. Once you are "labelled" at an institution, depending on for whom you're working, your only way out may be to move to a different institution. These days in the U.S., that's not necessarily an easy proposition. It used to be that many business would hire temporary workers as essentially a "trial" period. If they liked you, you might well be offered a permanent position. These days, temporary employment has indeed turned for many into a shell game limiting liability and obligation to the employee. Truly fungible employment. It can be hard to be rid of that "fungible" label. "There are people who count, and people who don't."