By: Juliet F. Brudney

Good benefits and annual earnings of $30,000 to $40,000 for MacTemps temps illustrate decent employment policies that pay off. MacTemps, a rapidly growing business based in Cambridge, provides temps skilled in Macintosh and Windows software.

Benefits yield loyalty to the company and its high quality work standards, says John Chuang, president and founder. Revenues from offices in 18 states and overseas rose to $56 million in1995. "In a given week, 2,300 temps are on assignment, 70 percent in graphics, 20 percent in networking and other technical work, 10 percent in administrative," says Chuang.

Hourly pay, $10 to $50, averages $16. Benefits are based on hours worked in a time period. Health, dental, and disability insurance require 260 hours in 10 weeks, plus monthly payments for health, about $90, until completing 1900 hours in 52 weeks. Work-time criteria also govern eligibility for six paid holidays and 40 hours of vacation pay.
Getting into MacTemps requires full-time availability, two years' experience with two or three computer programs, 'Not general or clerical," says Thom Finni, Cambridge office assignment manager. "A flexible personality, no prima donna complex," emphasizes Judy Bolon, marketing manager. Applicants are screened by telephone. About 30 percent are interviewed and tested, and 40 percent of them are accepted (868-8200, Judy Bolon).

Holly Goodrich, 31, with MacTemps since 1991, works in graphics design for $17 an hour, $30 and up to tutor on using applications. Annual earnings from MacTemps are "close to $40,000. I couldn't temp without their health insurance," says Goodrich, a Wellesley College graduate who also does voice work for a radio station about 20 hours a week and plays in a band.

"Temping has become more socially acceptable," she says. Family no longer ask, "When are you getting a real job?" The major drawback? "No stable social environment, no social continuity at work."

Goodrich adds, however, that "walking into a new situation is intellectually stimulating. Presenting yourself frequently builds confidence. You don't fear losing your job, as many people do. If an assignment has lots of stress and other negatives, I can leave, knowing there are many better places to work. That's empowering."

Barry Morrill, 36, works only for MacTemps now after signing on four years ago. "I mostly design slides or overheads for presentations, averaged 50 hours of work a week in 1995, earned about $35,000. Some weeks, I'm five days at one place, nights or weekends at another." He usually works on benefit-paid holidays earning time and a half, too.

Like other MacTemps interviewed, Morrill enjoys the work except for an occasional boring assignment. Not having any work is "worrisome" but very rare.

"MacTemps office staff have been here the whole time I've been, know me and my skills, making it much easier for me to get appropriate assignments," Morrill says.

After raising three children, Fran Neville bought a personal computer, learned how to use it and took a full-time job in 1985. It got boring. So did the next position. "I wasn't learning enough."

In 1991, she began with temp agencies, including MacTemps. It now provides 85 to 90 percent of her work.

"I work up to 50 hours a week, about 50 percent at home, make $15 an hour, earned more than $30,000 from MacTemps in 1995." Her assignments include presentations, publications, layout and documents.

"My husband, about to be 65, took early retirement in December. No more medical coverage. Thank goodness for MacTemps' health benefits and 401k, too."

Neville, over 50, says that's "over the hill" for good permanent jobs. "MacTemps offers an opportunity for older people who want to work, don't want to climb a ladder, have up-to-date computer skills. I've gotten work when I want it and consistently decent jobs."