How hiring temporary staff can meet your seasonal demands
At certain periods throughout the year, many companies will have an increased workload that requires additional skills and people to help maximise commercial opportunities. It can be hard to hire at a quick turnaround - the solution? Hiring temporary staff to meet your seasonal demands.
However, in regards to temporary and permanent staff alike, finding the correct people for your organisation is so important. If you end up hiring the wrong temporary employee, it can lead to a decrease in overall productivity, have a negative impact on team morale, consume time and resources by spending time training or retraining them, and potential damage your organisation's reputation - so you want to get it right!
Helping them settle in to the organisation will also enable and motivate them to be as productive as possible, even if they are only set to be in the business for a short period of time.
Whether you are looking to hire to fill your holiday rush requirements, or are simply looking to hire additional staff to assist with a particular project or event, temporary staff can fill this void in a number of ways.
We take a look at a number of benefits associated with hiring temporary staff to meet these demands below.
1. Flexibility
Companies have to be able to meet the demand for additional staff during busy periods, and this can often be a time consuming and difficult process.
Temporary staff remove some of this hardship, as they are readily available, and are a quick fix when sudden changes in turnover, various projects and of course seasonal demands crop up. This ability in a business to be agile and flexible when it comes to meeting its hiring needs is a desirable one.
Temporary workers can be relied upon when you need to up your volume of staff for a certain amount of time. And then likewise, when your business enters a less busy or quieter period, it is easy to adjust and rearrange your staffing requirements to suit.
2. New skills
Previously, the stereotype of a temporary employee was someone who worked in a lower level admin role. However, the dynamic of the workforce has changed dramatically, and there is now a large amount of 'career contractors' that build a successful career by gaining experience from temporary assignments.
This is the new and modern version of the classic temp and means that hiring contractors or temps can bring many new skills and a fresh perspective to a business.
It also suits many employers' needs as well as the individuals' lifestyles, which can in turn improve business efficiency and streamline certain aspects of the business which need tweaking. If a new project or area of the business requires a new set of skills which are outside the companies usual area of expertise, a temp can bring with them what is needed.
3. Affordability and ease of hiring temps
Temps and their rates vary from company to company and from agency to agency, however the process of hiring a temp is often much more cost effective and efficient than that of hiring a permanent employee.
Temps can sometimes charge by hourly rates as opposed to a set salary, plus they occasionally have reduced access to benefits and other employee perks as they are there for such a short time.
It is the perfect short term solution. As well as this, we would look after all queries regarding payroll, tax, PRSI, etc. so there would be no need to worry about any of these becoming an issue.
4. Source of new hires
Finding employees which are the correct fit for your business can be costly and time consuming. However, if you hire a temporary employee, you get the chance to assess employees over a longer time period without having to make a permanent offer.
This also means that there is no panic when trying to fill a permanent vacancy, as having a temporary employee on board to fill the role can buy you time in the recruitment process and ensure you have time to locate the right professional for the role.
5. Boosts team spirit
In general, there is a stereotype that there is a significant divide between permanent and temporary staff, but the addition of temporary staff can actually help boost the atmosphere in a workplace.
This is mainly because when employees are overworked or more importantly a business is understaffed, this can result in a tense and difficult working environment. Hence employees get stressed, overwhelmed and eventually burn out or look elsewhere.
Extra help during seasonal peaks helps ensure employees stay as happy and productive as possible.
6. Preparation is key
At Morgan McKinley, we have large pools of temporary candidates and contractors readily available to start work. Not only that, but they’re also pre-screened and pre-approved. This saves you time in the long run and avoids unnecessarily complicated recruitment processes.
Seasonal temporary employees can be ready and available to work within just a few days. These temps are usually screened in plenty of time, so you can rest ensured that they are fit for the job and will need minimal training in order to be ready and fit to work.
Steps to get ready for your temporary employee's arrival
In order to make sure you are best prepared for their arrival, we recommend considering the following to facilitate a smooth onboarding process:
- Prepare in advance: Before the temporary employee's start date, make sure you have everything ready for their arrival. This includes providing them with necessary paperwork, access to relevant systems or equipment, and any training materials they will need.
- Create a welcome packet: Develop a welcome pack or orientation document that provides an overview of the company, its mission, values, and key policies. Include information on the team structure, important contacts, and any specific guidelines or procedures that are relevant to their role.
- Assign a buddy or mentor: Pair the temporary employee with an experienced team member who can act as a mentor or buddy. This person can help answer questions, provide guidance, and offer insights into the team dynamics and organisational culture.
- Provide clear expectations: Clearly communicate the temporary employee's responsibilities and expected deliverables. Discuss project timelines, key objectives, and any specific targets they need to accomplish during their temporary assignment. This will help them understand their role and focus their efforts.
- Offer initial training: Provide focused training on essential skills or tools that the temporary employee will need in order to perform their duties effectively. This could include software systems, specific processes, or industry-specific knowledge. Tailor the training to their needs and ensure they have the resources and support to succeed.
- Establish open communication: Create an environment where the temporary employee feels comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification. Encourage open communication channels, and let them know who they can contact for assistance or guidance. Regularly check in with them to provide feedback and address any concerns.
- Encourage collaboration: Foster collaboration between the temporary employee and the rest of the team. Encourage introductions, actively involve them in team meetings, and assign them tasks that require working closely with others. This will help them build relationships, feel more engaged, and quickly acclimatise to the team dynamics.
- Provide ongoing support: Offer ongoing support and check-ins throughout the temporary employee's assignment. Be available to address any questions or challenges they may encounter, and provide constructive feedback to help them improve their performance.
Remember that every temporary employee may have different backgrounds and skill sets, so it's important to be flexible and tailor the onboarding process to their individual needs.
By following these steps, you can help temporary employees get up to speed quickly while ensuring they feel supported and valued within your organisation
