[Excerpt] A contingent workforce is comprised of various types of non employees who are not legally employed by the companies they work for. Traditionally contingent labor has been used for seasonal or absence related needs, but it is now used as part of companies strategic direction to cut costs, reduce risks, and create a flexible workforce. In fact, adapting flexible staffing models presents an opportunity to create competitive advantage through increased organizational agility and acquisition of critical skills. As the contingent workforce continues to grow, Human Resource departments need to be well equipped with the unique needs and challenges non employee labor presents.