New research has shown that one in 10 workers in the region consider their man job to be temporary.

According to Reed Specialist Recruitment 10 per cent of employees use temporary contracts to improve their work-life balance, gain greater variety and find new challenges.

Reed's Temporary isn't Temporary campaign surveyed 5,000 workers and looked at the experiences of workers in temporary and multiple career roles and their attitudes to that line of work.

When asked about the positive benefits of temporary or short-term working contracts, 36 per cent cited work-life balance as the key reason why they work in this way.

Access to a variety of work appealed to 34 per cent, while 23 per cent enjoy the new challenges accessed through temporary work.

However, the research also identified the reasons that are deterring workers from temporary work.

More than half (59 per cent) said they prefer the security of a permanent role, with 45 per cent identifying that the benefits such a pensions and sick pay, were key to their choice.

Despite income and financial security being of great concern, 66 per cent indicated that they were not worried about the disadvantages of non-permanent work when applying for mortgages or loans.

And 77 per cent said that they weren't concerned about having to work whenever possible.

Across the UK, temporary contracts are most commonly used by workers in the early stages of their careers, with 17 per cent of 25-34 year olds considering temporary employment to be their main role.

While a significant number of this age group work permanently, 21 per cent hold more than one temporary role, while 11 per cent hold more than four temporary roles at one time.

Prema Moran, regional managing director of Reed South West, said

: "Workers across the South West are surrounded by growing creative and aerospace industries.

"This strong economic performance provides the perfect backdrop for talented workers to seek the increased flexibility provided by temporary employment.

"However, even with a booming economy and a large number of temporary vacancies, our research reveals that pensions and sick pay are important concerns surrounding temporary employment.

"The good news is that a market with a healthy amount of temporary work can benefit both employers and employees.

"If employers can deliver varied and quality work, while at the same time maintaining all-important flexibility, then they can capture the best temporary workers.

"At Reed Specialist Recruitment, we have seen on many occasions that businesses who were able to employ talented workers through a short term contract benefitted in the long term from their wisdom.

"The traditional 9-5 is disappearing. Temporary working is set to become more widespread and more popular with employers and employees."