Commentary: More Than 1 in 3 U.S. Workers Now Classified as 'Disposable,' Research Finds

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 6, 2026

A labor economist's new book and survey of 6,000+ workers finds that over 57 million U.S. workers — roughly 1 in 3 — fall into 'disposable' job categories: staffing-firm contractors (13% of the workforce), organizational freelancers (5%), and marginal employees with built-in high turnover (17%). The research highlights cost-saving motives driving employer reliance on contingent and part-time arrangements, including avoidance of benefits, reduced training investment, and workforce flexibility. For staffing agencies, the data reinforces the scale of the contingent labor market while also raising questions about worker satisfaction and the long-term reputational risks of disposable workforce models.