Leaving permanent job to do temping - will it look odd to employers?

[isitoktotemp]

NC for this. Please could you give me your opinion on this?

My job is horrible, so I'm looking for another one. I've worked for this company for 4 years, but only several months in this particular department. My previous experience working at this company has been very good, but my current dept is just dreadful for various reasons.

I'm hoping an internal permanent job will come up in the next month or so that I can apply for and hopefully get.

Another option is to leave and get work via the temp agency that supplies this particular company (I.e. the temp jobs would be at the place I currently work).

The work situation is that bad I'd consider doing this just to get out. It might get to the point that I can't take it anymore and just leave anyway.

My question is, if I temp for a while then apply for other permanent jobs at my existing company or elsewhere, how would I explain to prospective employers my leaving after 4 years to take up temp work? Will it look weird? Will they not care? I might be overthinking it but I'm curious what others think of this, and what reasons you'd put on an application form as "reason for leaving" in this situation.

Thanks!

I have done it in the past and it has been fine. Usually the temping work has lead to a permanent position. I have been honest with employers about why I did it and it has been fine.

Thanks Derby. I have done this before too and generally end up being employed by whoever it is I'm temping for. What's different this time is whether my existing employer will think it odd, if I temp with them then apply for a permanent role with them in future? That said, they know all about my dept! Thanks again.