If your employees are going on vacation and your company needs extra hands for a few weeks or months, you do not have to worry. You can always hire a temporary employee. They can help you to fill gaps in the workplace during the busy season. Hiring a temporary employee will be beneficial as you can avoid over-hiring.  Many industries like healthcare and retail approach for this non-commitment hiring.

What is a Temporary Worker?

A temporary worker is a person who gets hired to cover specific staffing needs, seasonal demand, or substitute for a permanent worker. This position does not require a long-term commitment. You can also hire them as a full-time employer if you love their work. You can also hire IT professionals as a temporary worker.

Types of Nonpermanent Work

Freelancer:

A freelancer is a self-employed individual who focuses on a certain field. They work with multiple clients and manage their projects and workloads. They can handle a specific project or ongoing service. Freelancers mostly work online.

Independent Contractor:

They are similar to freelancers as both are self-employed, but independent contractors may lead a team. Unlike freelancers, they take on longer projects and also work on-site. They are used for a specialized task.  

Temporary Employee:

They are used as substitutes for permanent employees. A temporary employee can work with one or two clients at a time and can be on the agency’s payroll. Having a temporary staffing solution can be beneficial during times of need, such as the holiday season.

How to Hire Temporary Employees?

Identify The Need:

It is the first step in your hiring needs. Be sure why you need to hire someone. By making a list of tasks you will get a better idea about your business needs. When you write about the job tasks, duration of the tasks, and qualifications, you will get a better response.

Define the Job:

It is important to define the role of the job. Write a detailed description of the job that includes the tasks a temporary employee will look after. You should write the duration of the employment and the skills. It will help both of you and the candidate to better understand expectations. Also, mention clearly if the job will lead to a permanent position or not.

Hire an agency:

There are many ways to hire a temporary employee. Some of the methods that you can use to hire an employee are through staffing agencies, posting on social media, or through personal networks. If you want a candidate who can start instantly, a staffing agency will be a better option as they already have candidates on their list.  Staffing agencies make the work process smoother for you.

Conduct Interviews:

Once you receive the application, it’s time to screen candidates. Always look for the experience and skills that match your job role. After resume screening, it’s better to have a face-to-face or on-screen interview so you will get to know better that the candidate is a good fit for your company.

Check References and background:

It does not matter if you need a temporary employee, checking references and background is important. It will make sure that you are hiring a reliable and trustworthy person. You can also ask their previous employer about their nature or work ethic.

Provide Clear Expectations:

Once you find your employees, set them up for success. Clearly tell them about their role and tasks, and what outcomes are you expecting from them. Be sure that your employee has a better idea of what you expect from them.

Evaluate Performance:

Check if your temporary employee is meeting your expectations. Having regular evaluations can give you your answers. Do not hesitate to give your feedback.

Conclusion

Hiring a temporary employee might help you manage workloads during peak seasons or address gaps in your team. By following these procedures, you can successfully hire a temporary employee who meets your company’s needs, adapts fast, and helps keep your operations operating smoothly.

FAQs

What is a temporary employee?

A temporary employee is someone hired to work for a specific, short-term period, typically to cover busy seasons, special projects, or when permanent employees are on leave. They are not considered permanent staff and usually work on a contract or hourly basis.

Why should I hire a temporary employee?

Hiring a temporary employee is beneficial when your business needs extra help without committing to a long-term hire. It allows you to fill gaps quickly, manage workloads during peak seasons, and handle special projects without adding permanent staff.

How do I determine when I need a temporary employee?

You should consider hiring a temporary employee when your business experiences increased demand, a permanent employee takes extended leave, or you have a short-term project that requires additional skills. If the workload is temporary and you don’t want to commit to a long-term hire, temporary workers can help.

What are the best ways to find temporary employees?

You can hire temporary workers through staffing agencies, online job boards, or by reaching out to your professional network. Staffing agencies are often the easiest option as they provide pre-screened candidates and manage most of the hiring paperwork.

What should I include in a temporary employee’s job description?

A job description for a temporary employee should clearly outline the specific tasks, skills required, the duration of the employment, and working hours. Also, mention if there’s a possibility of the temporary role becoming permanent, which may attract more qualified candidates.

Are temporary employees entitled to benefits?

In most cases, temporary employees are not entitled to full-time benefits like health insurance, but this depends on local labor laws and company policies. Some staffing agencies may provide limited benefits to temporary workers they place.