The Rise of Temporary Recruitment in the Post-COVID Era

COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on the UK economy. As part of this, the rise of temporary recruitment across all business sectors has greatly increased. More people than ever before are now choosing temporary work, with many organisations adopting more flexible recruitment systems. Using temporary recruitment agencies is also becoming increasingly popular, saving businesses time and money in the long run. 

What is Temporary Recruitment?

Temporary employment occurs when a company employs an individual for a specified period of time. This term encompasses fixed term and project based contracts, as well as seasonal or casual work. Temporary workers can be hired directly through the company or through a third-party recruitment agency. Temporary employment can be full-time or part-time, whilst the duration of work depends on the needs of the company or project.

Fixed Term vs. Temporary Contracts

Fixed Term Contracts

A fixed term contract is when a person is employed for an agreed duration. The  contract length usually ranges from 1 month to 1 year, although it can be longer. Companies often issue fixed term contracts when they require assistance with completing a specific task or project. 

Some businesses may require extra help during busy periods, such as Christmas in retail work. By issuing a fixed term contract, they can hire staff members for a specified amount of time, without worrying about having excess staff when business resumes as normal.

Temporary Contracts

Temporary contracts are usually more informal than fixed term contracts. These types of contracts don’t outline specific time periods and instead focus on hiring employees to complete a one-off task or project. Temporary contracts often appeal to freelance workers, as they will happily take on project based work that is paid by the hour.

Top 5 Benefits of Hiring Temporary Workers

1) Flexible Workforce

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are now prioritising flexibility in the workplace. If you’re willing to offer a flexible working schedule, you can easily attract the most skilled candidates. By leaving a good impression on your temporary employees, you can build up an extensive pool of skilled staff members that repeatedly work for you on a contractual basis. However, if a temporary worker underperforms, you are not obliged to work with them again, giving you ultimate control and flexibility. 

2) Quality Candidates

Temporary staff members can bring valuable skills and fresh ideas to your business. In fact, many industries regularly recruit temporary workers with specialist skill sets. If you choose to hire via a temporary recruitment agency, they often have access to talented pools of qualified candidates who can easily step into a specialist role. 

You can also ‘try before you buy’ with temporary recruitment. This involves dipping into an existing network of experts on a trial basis, whilst deciding whether you need to hire for a full-time role. 

3) Avoid Staff Shortages

Whether covering absences such as long-term sickness, maternity/paternity leave or resignations, every business will need to respond quirky to urgent staffing shortages at some point. Temporary employees can be recruited quickly and easily, reducing stress and time on your part. Your business can continue to operate as normal whilst considering a more permanent solution to any staff shortages. 

4) Save Time & Resources

By working with a temporary recruitment agency, you can save time on recruiting and training skilled employees. The agency will coordinate all necessary checks and initial interview processes, freeing up time for your business. Unlike permanent staff, temporary workers can usually start working within a few days, avoiding long notice periods or interview processes. In urgent situations, you could even hire temporary employees to start the same day. 

5) Control Costs

Post COVID-19, there’s now a much greater focus on keeping costs low. Adding staff members to your team on a temporary basis is a much cheaper solution than permanent recruitment, giving you ultimate control over your costs. As temporary employees are an interim solution, there’s no requirement to pay them a fixed annual salary. You also won’t incur any training costs with temporary workers, as they will already possess the required skills to perform well in their roles.

How to Recruit Temporary Employees

Many businesses require temporary or contract workers from time to time. At RE Recruitment, we excel at finding top employees in various industries. These include office, industrial, technical, engineering, transport, hospitality, food, agriculture, and healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in recruiting temporary roles, we can help you find the right employee for your business needs. Get in touch with our recruitment team today to help find your next temporary recruitment solution.