Work relationships between agency and permanent staff.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the nature of the relationship between agency workers and permanent staff within care homes.


METHODS
A qualitative design was used with an interpretative phenomenological analysis.


RESULTS
Four key themes were identified: issues about the psychological contract of agency workers; agency stigmatisation; issues on both sides of the relationship; and power and shifts in attitude.


CONCLUSIONS
This study builds on our psychological understanding of workplace practices and relationships between agency and permanent staff. It should enable practical and effective improvements to be made to the quality of working life and self-identity of all who work in care homes.
Charnley
Damaris
D
Nottingham Trent University.
Arnold
Jill
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012042:Registries; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology