Hiring temporary workers – what type would suit your business?
Taking on temporary workers, or temps, can save your business a lot of time and money, as you can take on staff only at the times when you specifically need them – and they can be released quite easily when the work is not there.
What is classed as a Temporary worker?
Temporary workers are employed on a short term basis with no guaranteed hours, which can be anything ranging from just a day’s work, to a few weeks, through to perhaps a year covering any form of leave period.
Typically temporary work is for a fixed period of time and assignments are normally to cover fluctuations in workload, seasonal peaks to cover illness or leave.
The benefits to your business
Hiring temporary workers can be very beneficial to your business – they can help fill the gap without the commitment of a long term contract. But is it worth it?
What are the benefits of taking on a temp over recruiting a permanent member of staff? Here are just some:
- Recruits can normally start straight away
- Flexible working times to suit your requirements
- Employable during busy periods
- Covering a position that is due to be phased out
- Filling a specialist role for an individual project
- Possible cost savings
Types of temporary working
If you have decided that a temporary worker would suit your business, the next step is to consider the type of temporary employee to take on. There are four types all with their own contracts and regulations:
Fixed-Term
An employee is considered to be on a fixed-term contract if they have a contract of employment. The contract normally stipulates that that employment will finish on a specified date or at the completion of a particular project and this is set up and agreed in advance.
Hiring a temporary worker to cover maternity/paternity leave normally falls into this category.
It is important to remember that fixed-term employees enjoy all of the same rights and benefits as with any other permanent contract, although factors such as holiday entitlement will depend on contract length.
Temporary
A temporary contract is offered when the position is not expected to become permanent and although it is normal to have an end date included, the contract can be extended if there is a requirement for the employee to continue and they are available.
Despite their short-term status, temporary workers are entitled to the same rights as any other member of staff.
Zero Hours
Here the employee just works when required and the employer does not have to specify a set amount of hours, although the employee can also turn down the work offered.
Individuals on a zero hour contract may also seek employment elsewhere. In fact, their contract would not be valid if it prevented them from looking for, or accepting, work from another employer.
Just as with permanent workers, zero hours workers are entitled to the same amount of paid annual leave and must be paid the minimum wage.
Freelance
Freelancers are generally self-employed workers and are not tied to a particular company. They can be working simultaneously for several clients and can work from anywhere including their own homes.
Freelancers are generally considered self-employed, meaning that it’s their responsibility to look after tax and NI contributions.
Hiring temporary employees – covering the legal position
There are several avenues available to you to find a temporary employee including advertising on social media – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter etc., current employee contacts and taking on a recruitment agency.
By using the latter method, they can help you understand which solution is best for your business and offer advice on the legal position of each one. However, if you chose a professional and reputable consultancy, one of the biggest benefits is that, as the worker’s contract is with the agency, all sick days or holiday and NI contributions are covered by them.
How We Can Help
Employing a temporary person could be the perfect solution for your business and remember if you do find the right person, you could take them on permanently.
At TN Recruits, we will take the time to look at your business and understand the role that you need filled and will go through all the legal requirements so that you have nothing to worry about.
We want to ensure that you get the right person to fill the task in hand. Call us now on 01892 571105 to talk through your options.
