This study looks into the use of fixed term contracts and agency work in Russia during and shortly after the crisis 2009–10 with the help of an enterprise survey. The results of variance analysis show that the use of fixed-term or agency work contracts is not uniform across sectors, size and skill requirements. Probit analysis reveals that the use of fixed term contracts also increases the likelihood of using agency work, but not the other way around. The increase of temporary and agency work contracts increases the turnover on the labour market and contributes to an increase in dualisation, but may also help to prevent a larger increase in unemployment during crisis periods.