While the Washington Post reported that some experts are concerned that the Affordable Care Act’s exceptions for temporary employees could undercut the goal of expanding coverage to more American workers, that would only occur if employers find that they are able to do less with permanent workers and more with part-timers who work fewer than 30 hours per week

But Manpower chief executive Jeffrey A. Joerres told investors in January that the company is talking to clients about “a more flexible labor model,” where workers “might be working 29 hours a week”.   He added, “We definitely look at it as a positive.”

And M. Keith Waddell, Robert Half’s president, told investors on a conference call a few weeks ago “We are already getting inquiries from our client base for companies in and around 50 [employees], asking us to help them understand this legislation, and to inquire as to how we might be helpful.  Our response is that we can legally help them remain under 50.”

Giant staffing specialist companies like Manpower, Robert Half and others who have far more than 50 employees are subject to the same health act requirements as other companies to offer coverage to employees working 30 or more hours per week.