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Category: Temps

Over the past few months, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, many companies have been forced to freeze all activities, furloughing a big part of their workforce, or, in some cases letting staff go, to minimise outgoings and survive.

But now, as the country slowly starts to emerge from lockdown, businesses will be looking at how they can return to productivity.

With the ongoing situation being everchanging, this can be a tough call leaving business owners unsure if now is the time to start scaling up their operations and to start hiring again.

And now the government has given the green light for many businesses to resume trading, some sectors that will see an initial surge in sales which will require additional resources to meet demand – but not necessarily on a permanent basis.

Taking on temporary staff could be the ideal solution for both of these scenarios. Temporary Workers, or Temps, 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?

Fast Recruitment – and Fast Release

The lead times for bringing in temps to a business can be very short. With a large database of over 6,000 prospects with a variety of skills, we can source good quality candidates that are not only happy to start work with immediate effect, but have also been pre-screened and reference checked. This can help fill any resource gaps very quickly and help your business get back up to speed.

And with the staff being temporary, this also means that when the need or rush is over, there is no minimum notice to release them from your business which ensures maximum efficiency.

Sidestep Recruitment Freezes and Headcount Issues

When taking on a temp, they do not officially work for your business. They are employed by the recruitment agency therefore they do not count towards the business headcount.

This is also means that your company is not liable for sick pay, pension contributions and there is no obligation to offer employee benefits for the first 12 weeks of employment – which could be huge cost savings for businesses that are looking to keep costs and overheads down.

Try before you buy!

Taking on a temp is good way of trialling an employee without the commitment. If you do take on a temp that proves to be a perfect fit for the role and your business, then there is always the opportunity to move them across to a permanent position.

Not only have you had the benefit of seeing them work at close quarters, but they will already be knowledgeable and fully trained to start the role immediately.

TN Recruits Focusing on Temps

As local recruitment experts, TN Recruits have been placing temporary staff within local businesses since 2014.

Drawing on our vast experience and knowledge within this sector, we are excited to be launching our new specialist division TN Recruits Temps, with a dedicated team focusing solely on the sourcing and placing of temporary staff.

The team are always happy to talk through the possibilities available to your business and offer advice on the best recruitment solution for you.

Why not give us a call now to speak to Melissa Staveley, our Temporary Recruitment Specialist on 01892 571105.

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.

Most businesses have a busy season – in the retail and hospitality industry this would typically be around Christmas, for accountants it could the Tax year end. And with these increased business spurts you may need additional labour to manage the workload.

Temporary Workers, or Temps, 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 permanant member of staff?

Fast Recruitment – and Fast Release

The lead times for bringing in temps to a business can be very short. All professional recruitment agencies will have a large database of good quality temps with a variety of skills that are happy to start work with immediate effect. This can help when productivity is being affected by regular employee absenteeism or long term leave.

It also means that when they need, or the seasonal rush, is over, you can also release the temp from the position with minimal notice to ensure maximum efficiency.

 

Supports the team and boosts morale

Taking on temps can relieve the burden of overworked staff and prevent employees from burning out or becoming disillusioned with their job and the company. If the business is being seen to take their happiness and well-being seriously, then this could keep them motivated and productive.

The addition of new skills, specialisms and perspective

Years ago, temps were only taken on for lower payed positions such as admin, labouring or secretarial, but this has changed dramatically. Experienced temps can now be taken on in higher paid roles such as accounting, marketing, legal and compliance.

Many temps have a specialist skill set that suit short term projects and interim managerial positions. As with all new external employees, they bring with them a fresh perspective outside of the business’s culture which can generate new ideas and approaches.

 

Avoids headcount limitations

When taking on a temp, they do not officially work for your business. They are employed by the recruitment agency who placed them, therefore they do not count towards the business headcount.

This is also means that your business is not liable for sick pay, pension contributions and there is no obligation to offer employee benefits – which could be huge cost savings for smaller businesses.

 

Good recruitment tool for permanent employees

If you have taken on a temp who has proved a perfect fit for the role and the business, then there is always the opportunity to move them across to a permanent position. Not only have you had the benefit of seeing them work at close quarters, but they will already be knowledgeable and fully trained to start the role immediately.

 

How we can help

Hiring a temp is a viable option for many businesses and can really help if you are left with a sudden vacancy or require a specialised skill set in the short term. Taking on temporary staff can keep  business productivity up when faced with employee issues and challenges.

 

At TN Recruits, we specialise in placing temporary staff within businesses at all levels and are always happy to talk through the possibilities available to your business. Why not give us a call now to speak to one our Recruitment Specialists on 01892 571105.