Hiring Temporary Employees: What Your Business Needs to Know

Being a business owner or manager lends certain bits of wisdom. Like this saying: Expect the unexpected. From extreme events like natural disasters to national or local economic downturns to employee vacancies, there's a long and varied list of possibilities to consider. Some events can seriously slow down a business or even halt it completely, while others are simply part of life. The best bet for every business is to be as prepared as possible. One way to do that is to call on a staffing agency.

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Benefits of hiring a temporary employee

With the many ebbs and flows in the life cycle of a business, staffing needs can change due to various factors, such as maternity/paternity leave, illness, caretaking of a family member, extended vacation, or leaving the job entirely. When your needs change, you must be prepared to act quickly to avoid prolonged disruption.

Flexibility

Business owners or managers appreciate the flexibility a staffing agency provides. In addition to helping you find the right candidate to fill a position, a reputable agency will offer a guarantee, meaning if the employee isn't the right fit, they'll find you one who is. 

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For instance, if you have a mother going on maternity leave, you'll need to fill her role for a specific timeframe, which you'll set well in advance. In this scenario, you'll enlist the staffing agency to find a qualified temporary worker. 

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In other cases, you're looking toward the longer term, and thus a temp-to-permanent situation would work well. Here, the candidate will come to work knowing that if all the pieces fit, this could become a permanent job. 

Many staffing agencies also offer the option for direct hiring. The agency will have a roster of candidates specially qualified for particular roles. When your company has a permanent job opening, you can go straight to the staffing agency to set up an interview and fill the position with less time spent scouring the internet or other sources for qualified candidates.

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Convenience

From the daily operations of providing a product or service to dealing with vendors, ordering supplies, and watching the business's financial health, the To Do list is endless. When a job vacancy arrives, you want to fill it quickly and seamlessly. If you are looking for convenience, look for a staffing agency.

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Many staffing agencies can be a one-stop shop providing qualified candidates to businesses that need solutions — and need them now. A trusted staffing agency will vet candidates to discover their strengths and what kind of roles they're suited for. And several will ensure the candidate is drug tested and locally based so they can arrive promptly when you call. 

Another benefit of using a staffing agency is payroll services. To stay focused on the important business of running your business, find a staffing agency that takes care of everything related to paying your temporary employee. This includes all necessary paperwork and management of funds. 

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Disadvantages of hiring a temporary employee

Although working with an experienced staffing agency can be a great option, each business should weigh the decision carefully. A few particular challenges can arise when working with a temporary employee. 

Company culture

There's understandably a period of adjustment anytime a new employee comes on board, and a standard hiring scenario affords the benefit of foresight. 

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When a temporary employee joins the team, company culture may be affected as many temporary workers aren’t at a company long enough to acclimate to the culture. Knowing they aren't a permanent addition, a temp worker might remain reserved or unable to put their best foot forward due to time constraints. In turn, a culture add doesn't take place. 

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Lack of expertise

While reputable staffing agencies will properly vet anyone they bring on board, there's no foolproof process. A candidate might have the basic qualifications to fill a role but lack enough experience to perform the job at the employer's desired level. 

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Your goal as a business owner or manager is to build expert teams. When a key role needs filling, and you opt to work with a staffing agency, there is the risk of losing some momentum regarding expertise. 

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Southern California companies have been depending on Reliable Resources for quality employment services since 1997. We offer temporary support, temp-to-permanent placement and direct hire recruitment, with a specialization in light industrial labor and clerical personnel. Employers turn to our team for the flexibility, personal attention and superior customer service that only a local placement company can provide.

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To fill your open positions with a partner that guarantees all placed employees, contact us today!

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