The planned use of temporary employees can give management the ability to keep labor costs low and still handle peak workloads, vacancies, and special projects. Below is an outline of ideas on how to get the most out of your temporary dollar.
SELECTING THE RIGHT AGENCY
A strong, long-term relationship with the right agency is one of the best ways to efficiently use temporaries.
Use a Specialist: An agency that specializes will have access to more candidates in their specific field than a general agency. Also, the odds are good that the agency will have recently filled a similar assignment and be able to respond quickly to your request.
Check Agency References: The best indication of the service you will receive is satisfied customers. If you can’t get references there’s probably a good reason. Also, look for the stability of employees in the agency. If you have to retrain a new Account Manager each time you call, the lack of knowledge of your company will cost you money.
Negotiate The Price: If you want quality the lowest price is seldom the best deal. Be aware that the price can vary depending on how it is quoted. Some charge a rate based on job title; others quote a range and will bill based on the actual individual provided.
Assign a Liaison: Contact through one individual in your company will save misunderstanding and wasted effort.
DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS
You can get the most for your temporary dollar by planning ahead for you needs.
Plan for Temporaries: Allocating for the use of temporaries in your annual budget will allow you to keep your permanent staffing lower. Also, let the agency know of your plans and they will be able to provide more qualified temporaries.
Describe the Job: An accurate job description helps you to more clearly understand what your needs are and will allow the agency to better understand them. Be sure to consider the length of the assignment and the type of personality best suited for your company.
Consider Bonuses: If the assignment will be long term the cost of retraining can be reduced by holding back part of the salary and paying it as a bonus at completion.
GETTING THE TEMP STARTED
Many temps report that much of their first day is wasted because the company was not ready for them.
Advise the Regular Staff: Knowing a temporary employee is starting will allow the staff to welcome the temp and help keep the temp productive.
Greet the Temp: Have someone show the temp to the work station and review the first ten hours of work. You may be better prepared if you have the temp show up an hour after regular start time the first day.
Supervise the Temp: All personnel need good supervision. Proper feedback to both the temporary and the agency will allow you to get the most from your temporary employee.
If you plan for temporaries you will be pleased at the resulting savings in labor costs.
