Per Diem Worker

What Is a Per Diem Worker?

A per diem worker is someone hired on a day-by-day basis, with no guarantee of ongoing hours or a set schedule. The term comes from the Latin phrase meaning "per day" — and that's exactly how the arrangement works: you work when called, get paid for the days you work, and there's no obligation on either side beyond that.

Per diem work is especially common in healthcare (nurses, therapists, medical technicians), education (substitute teachers), and hospitality. It gives employers maximum flexibility to scale staffing up or down based on daily demand, and it gives workers the ability to choose which days they're available.

How Per Diem Work Differs from Part-Time or Temporary

Per diem workers often get confused with part-time or temporary employees, but there are meaningful differences. Part-time workers typically have a recurring schedule with predictable hours. Temporary workers are usually hired for a defined period or project. Per diem workers have neither — they're available on an as-needed basis with no guaranteed hours or end date.

This distinction matters for benefits eligibility, scheduling obligations, and labor law compliance. Per diem workers generally don't receive benefits like health insurance or PTO, though they often command higher hourly rates to compensate for the lack of guaranteed hours and benefits.

Benefits and Trade-Offs for Businesses

The biggest advantage of per diem staffing is flexibility. You only pay for labor when you actually need it, which keeps costs aligned with demand. There's no obligation to provide hours during slow periods, and you can maintain a roster of reliable per diem workers who already know your operations.

The trade-off is less consistency. Per diem workers may not always be available when you need them, and because they're not guaranteed hours, they may prioritize other commitments. Building a large enough per diem pool to ensure reliable coverage is key — and that's where staffing platforms can help.

Per Diem Workers and GigSmart

GigSmart's platform operates on a similar principle — connecting businesses with workers who are available on demand, shift by shift. Whether you need one person for a day or twenty for a week, you can post shifts and fill them with qualified flex workers without the administrative overhead of managing a traditional per diem roster.

Related Terms

Flex Worker · On-Call Worker · On-Demand Staffing · Employee Classification · Open Shift