June 22, 2005

Kelly Services Study Finds 'Free Agent' Workers More Satisfied, Less Stressed Than Traditionally Employed Counterparts

TROY, Mich., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A recent study of American
workers points to a developing trend in which traditional employment --
defined as being directly employed by a company or firm -- appears to be
increasingly sharing the workplace spotlight with the flexibility, personal
convenience and personal satisfaction offered by "free agent" and
entrepreneurial lifestyles.
    Free agents -- individuals who freelance, work on a contract or temporary
basis, act as independent consultants, or business-owning entrepreneurs -- now
make up about 22 percent of the total U.S. workforce, estimated currently at
about 148 million civilian workers.  According to the research by Kelly
Services, more than 87 percent of surveyed workers defined as free agents are
"extremely or somewhat satisfied" with their current overall employment
situation.
    "The combination of several workplace trends -- including shortened job
cycles, the increase of project work, the acceptance of a new lifestyle and
the emergence of the Internet and other technology -- points to this trend of
free agent workers becoming much more prevalent and more of an employment norm
in the coming years," said Carl Camden, chief operating officer of Kelly
Services, Inc.  "The 'myth' of lifetime employment has touched all segments of
the work force, and while this study points to several conclusions, it most
notably tracks that satisfaction, compensation and a life-work balance can
actually be higher for those who choose a free agent path."
    According to the data, traditional employees are generally less positive
than free agents about their employment situation with respect to the
following variables:

     - Opportunities to expand their skill sets
     - Annual earnings
     - Formal training provided
     - Work-life balance
     - Stress
     - Opportunities to grow and learn in the past year

    In turn, and perhaps as a result, traditional employees are significantly
less committed and loyal to their respective employers.
    "Traditional employees are generally carrying a heavier workload than they
would prefer, and many report job strain and stress as an area of considerable
discontent," Camden added.  "Likewise, traditional employees fare less well
than free agents when it comes to receiving personal gratification and
recognition in their jobs, as well as growth opportunities."
    Among the broad cross-section of all groups that Kelly Services studied --
which included currently employed workers, retiring workers, those recently
retired, workers re-entering the workforce after retirement, as well as the
unemployed or those seeking employment -- the top three factors that workers
would change if they could are:

     - Less stress, better work-life balance
     - Improved relationship with company management
     - Job security and assurance of continued work

    "A dramatic shift has taken place in the last five to 10 years with regard
to more individuals seeking and sustaining independent work lifestyles," said
Camden. "Reduced full-time employee work forces, a move toward outsourcing and
an overall emphasis on reducing fixed personnel costs have created a new niche
in the workplace.  Free agents make up the fastest-growing segment of workers
in America, with rapid international growth as well.  These individuals are
generally very satisfied in their jobs, satisfied with their compensation --
often finding they can make more working on a contract or temporary basis --
and seem to want to fit their work into their lifestyle rather than fitting
their lifestyle into their work."
    Other key findings of the Kelly Services study:

     - Demonstrating how encouraging feedback can positively impact job
       perspective and employees' stated loyalty, significantly more free
       agents and entrepreneurs (58 percent)recall receiving "recognition for
       good work" within the past seven days, compared with just 38 percent of
       traditional employees.

     - Although most employees (75 percent) consider themselves "committed and
       loyal to their employer," more than four in 10 (43 to 47 percent)
       indicate some likelihood to switch companies in order to advance their
       careers, expand their skills and/or improve their compensation package.

     - Illustrating the importance of distance and commute, most people
       (77 percent) work within 30 minutes' driving distance from their home.
       More than 40 percent of all free agent workers actually work out of
       their homes, compared to just two percent of traditional workers.

     - U.S. workers identify many aspects of their job as important to them.
       However, the top three items workers consider to be "crucial to
       impacting their decision to stay or consider another job" are "more
       challenging, rewarding work and advancement opportunities"
       (21 percent); "healthcare benefits" (14 percent); and "job security,
       assurance of continued work" (13 percent).

     - The Midwest and Northeast count a significantly higher percentage of
       workers in the traditional employee category, while the Westyields a
       significantly higher proportion of independently employed workers (free
       agents and entrepreneurs).

     - Reflecting positively on the integrity and value system of the general
       public (and perhaps a remnant of recent corporate scandals), a
       company's ethical standards and practices are the most important
       determinant of satisfaction with one's current overall employment
       situation.

    About Kelly Services, Inc.
    Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) is a Fortune 500 company
headquartered in Troy, Mich., offering staffing solutions that include
temporary staffing services, staff leasing, outsourcing, vendor on-site and
full-time placement. Kelly owns and operates nearly 2,600 offices in
27 countries. Kelly provides employment to more than 700,000 employees
annually, with skills including office services, accounting, engineering,
information technology, law, science, marketing, light industrial, education,
health care and home care. Revenue in 2004 was $4.98 billion.
    Visit http://www.kellyservices.com.