Temporary employees have been around for years and play an important role in many companies. Like many present-day agencies, these positions are no longer limited to secretaries and file clerks. Temp employees currently possess a handful of titles from accountants, nurses, lawyers, and IT professionals. If you’re unsure if you should hire temporary help, we pulled together a list of pros and cons. You may find that it’s perfect for your business right now or something you’ll want to consider in the future.
The Pros
Enables your business to adjust more easily and quickly to workload fluctuations
Staffing agencies can quickly provide your business with qualified candidates. Some of the most common reasons that companies hire temps is due to employee absences (sudden departure, maternity leave) or unexpected/temporary demands (special projects, seasonal).
Lets your business evaluate a worker without long-term commitment
You’re now able to employ a temp short-term and offer them a full-time position if they’re a good fit. Many companies employ temporary workers as a cost-efficient way to test their abilities before signing them on full-time. Other companies will repeatedly use the services of a temp worker who has proven to be a company asset. Also, hiring a temp can be a good way to continue getting work done while searching for the perfect candidate. If you’re unsatisfied with a temp’s work performance, all you need to do is contact the temp agency. They will take care of the rest.
Can save time and money
The cost of hiring temp workers is often cheaper than the cost of hiring permanent employees with benefits. In the short-term, it is generally more cost-efficient to hire a temp. When you employ an agency, they become the temporary workers employer. The agency is responsible for the finances that come with recruiting and screening of workers, payroll expenses and paperwork, unemployment and workers compensation insurance, and any employee benefits they may wish to provide.
Can lead to a long-term positive relationship with a staffing agency
When you find a temporary staffing agency that provides quality service and referrals, you may want to work with them exclusively. A good relationship with your temporary staffing agency will go a long way toward meeting your company needs.
The Cons
Training becomes a recurring activity
Every time a temp employee starts a new work assignment, regardless of their skills, a certain amount of training is required. This is so they’ll be able to perform their assigned tasks to meet the needs of that company. Someone from your staff will need to spend the time training them, and it might take some time for the temp to get up-to-speed on what they’re supposed to do. However, if the same temp is brought back, this may not be required.
Safety Issues
Certain positions are inherently more dangerous and require careful safety training. No matter what a temp’s experience is, care must be taken to see that dangerous tasks are performed safely. You can never assume that a temp is fully prepared to work unsupervised until you’ve taken the time to see that they can safely perform their tasks.