Temp workers provide organisations with flexibility in times of uncertainty, growth and fluctuation. For instance, if you run a seasonal business you might hire temps to supplement your permanent workforce during busy periods.
One recruitment strategy is to hire a temp to cover someone’s parental leave or if you need additional support but can’t make a long-term recruitment commitment.
What is a temp worker?
Temp workers are contracted to work on a temporary basis.
You can hire a temp directly or through a third party, such as a temp agency. The term ‘temporary worker’ refers to someone who is hired through an agency, whereas a ‘temporary employee’ would be someone you hire through your own hiring process.
For example, you can hire temps for fixed term contracts to cover a six-month period, or on a short-term or ad hoc basis to cover employees who are on sick leave. Every temp is entitled to the national minimum wage, breaks and annual leave, etc.
They can be part-time or full-time, depending on your business’ requirements.
Why else might you hire a temp?
We’ve already touched upon a few instances where you might hire a temp, but there are many more besides. Every organisation is different, which is why there are so many reasons why you might decide to take on temp workers.
Here are a few more:
- Staffing solutions – temps can temporarily fill the position of employees who have left while you spend time finding the right permanent employees.
- Project work – a business might call upon the services of a temp for short-term work that has a set end date, such as a one-off project for a client.
- Productivity boost – temps can help fill gaps in a workforce’s productivity in order for the organisation to meet its short-term targets.
What are the most common temp roles?
Temps are used across a huge range of sectors, including – but not limited to – IT, education, marketing, finance, healthcare and retail. Here are some common temp roles:
Administrative roles
Companies often recruit admin staff on a temporary basis, which is why you’ll see lots of vacancies for temporary receptionists, personal assistants and office managers.
Experienced temp admin workers are used to working across a range of sectors and in different businesses, therefore are well equipped to adapt to processes quickly.
Duties you might outsource to admin temps include meeting and greeting guests, screening calls, diary management and other admin or support duties.
Retail roles
Retail temporary work is also common.
Temps are responsible for providing customer service and selling. Some provide more general operational support during busy periods, while others specialise in specific areas, such as merchandising or buying.
Supply teacher
Supply teachers are temporary teaching workers who provide cover when the permanent classroom teacher is absent. A supply teacher’s responsibilities might include preparing resources and lesson plans, classroom teaching and marking work.
Warehouse operatives
Warehouse operative is another common temp role, particularly during peak consumer times like the lead-up to Christmas.
Warehouse temps pick and pack goods, while other temps specialise in the transportation of products. Reporting, stock taking and quality control can also fall under their remit.
Where to find temp workers?
“I need workers – and fast!”
If you can relate to this, here are a few ways you can go about sourcing temporary workers for your organisation.
You can either handle the hiring process alone or enlist the services of a specialist temp agency. If you’re looking for people to start soon, we’d suggest the latter.
How to hire from a temp agency
Using a staffing agency to find workers can save you a lot of time.
Once you’ve explained what your requirements are, the agency will provide you with potential temp candidates that match your brief.
Temp agencies often have a large network of candidates on their books, skilled people who they have already interviewed and know whether or not will be a good fit for your organisation. Agencies charge differently, so take note of how much you’ll pay.
How to hire on job boards
Hiring temporary staff through job boards is another option. There are job boards out there for sales, retail, catering – a whole range of niches. Advertising on a job board will enable you to reach job seekers who are actively searching for a role in your sector.
How to hire on social media
If you have good social media engagement you could always use it to promote your vacancies. The plus side is that candidates are likely to be familiar with your brand.
When posting a job role, remember to outline the specifics, including key responsibilities, the fixed term (e.g. 3 months), pay and benefits, and an email address for CVs.
Dos and don’ts when hiring temp workers
- Don’t treat temp workers as expendable
- Don’t wait until the last minute to sign up to a temp agency
- Do brief your temp agency properly
- Do create a detailed job description
- Do set expectations for your temp workers
- Do provide training and support for temp staff
Key takeaway
A temp worker can be a valuable asset to any organisation, helping to drive productivity and provide support to the rest of the workforce.
If you’re interested in hiring temps who specialise in administrative support roles, consider signing up with an agency that specialises in matching PA and administrative talent to businesses.
