ABSTRACT
Time represents a unifying theme among nonstandard work relationships-part-timers, temps, teleworkers, and independent contractors all share nontraditional temporal relationships with their employing organizations. More than a coincidence, time is one of the constituent elements signifying the “alternative” nature of these labor arrangements because temporal norms and assumptions shape the very process of communicating and organizing (Ballard & Seibold, 2003; Bourdieu, 1977; Hall, 1983; Schein, 1992). These nonstandard forms of employment challenge traditional boundaries of personal versus work time, call into question unlimited versus conditional time limits for membership, and highlight seasonal versus steadystate orientations toward production. As such, the “time” of these arrangements presents an opportunity for us to consider vital communication and organizational processes. The need to problematize basic
communication and organizational aspects of nonstandard membership is underscored by the fact that, despite their fairly long-standing position in modern organizational life, extant organizational and communication theories continue to presume traditional membership roles (see related reviews on identity by Young, this volume, and on organizational assimilation by Waldeck & Myers, this volume).
