Temps Are People, Too

Every year, more and more businesses are utilizing temporary workers to accomplish a variety of tasks. The increasing number of temporary assignments is creating a unique situation for employers. While the company/employer is responsible for training, day-to-day supervision and overall happiness of the employee, it is the staffing service that is responsible for solving problems on the job, for payroll and for management of the employee.

So, without complete control, how does an employer keep temporaries happy?

• Keep us informed. The more we know about your organization and your working environment the better success we will have in finding the best temporary to meet your needs.
• Don't underestimate the power of the obvious - money! Everyone wants to feel valuable. It is a matter of self-esteem and not just the money alone.
• Treat the employee with respect.
• Give the proper training needed to complete the work and give clear instructions as to your expectations. - Give plenty of work to do. Temporary employees like to feel useful and feel they have earned their pay.
• Be sure that the employee has a definite work space.
• Appreciate and reward hard work, reliability and a job well done with praise, recognition, thanks and small bonuses.
• Keep supervision reasonable. A certain amount of supervision is important, including spot-checking of the employee's work. Be careful, however, not to be so attentive as to make the employee feel uncomfortable.
• Try to offer flexibility in work hours where possible and if necessary. Many people choose to work as a temporary because they have a situation which requires flexibility. Others are looking for a permanent job and may need, for example, to work through lunch in order to leave early for an interview.
• The possibility of an opportunity to work permanently with your firm is a wonderful incentive.
• When a temporary works for you long-term, remember that he or she should eventually earn the right to paid holidays, bonuses and other benefits. Although the staffing service pays these employees and we do offer some additional benefits, our ability to reward the individual is somewhat limited by what you are able to provide as well.

As you know, utilizing a flexible staff offers you the opportunity to save not only money, but time and energy as well. You can quickly add highly skilled, reliable workers to perform specific tasks for only the length of time necessary. Creating a motivational environment in which your staff members will thrive can help you to make the most out of this effective business tool.