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5 Temporary Staffing Questions Don Schmitz /Human Resource Staffing   According to CareerBuilder.com, one of the top trends in 2010 will be the hiring of contract workers to support their workforce…but why temporary and why are companies thinking this way? 1. What is temporary? Since 1945, reasons for employing temporary or contract workers included; employee absences, illness, vacation, maternity or disability leave, sudden departure but today's temporary employees include specialized skills including medical, executive, technical, legal and HR.   Temporary help services provide temporary workers short term assignments on a contract or temporary basis. Temporaries are the employees of the temporary service but work at a client's site. The temporary service is responsible for payroll, withholding taxes, unemployment and workers' compensation insurance.   2. Why should a business consider using temporaries? The cost of hiring a temporary workers is often cheaper, requires fewer risks and less manpower. Finding a qualified employee who will fit in well and work effectively with your team is often a long, expensive and difficult process. Temporary staff provides the client flexibility needed to feed a particular division that is showing increased profits and thereby increasing the bottom line and employee job security. A temporary worker does not increase the client company's headcount.   3. Why should a business not consider using temporaries? Every time a temp starts a new work assignment – no matter how skilled or unskilled – a certain amount of training is required. Morale and employee relations problems can arise when you have temps working alongside permanent employees. Certain types of jobs are inherently dangerous and require careful safety training. 4. Why should a person consider being a temporary? Jobseekers looking for permanent employment are able to earn money until they find a full-time job. Temporary work provides an opportunity to get your foot in the door and showcase your talents and provide a stepping stone to a new career. Learning a variety of skills increases a worker's marketability and experience in adapting to new environments. For skills in demand, some services provide bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. 5. Why not be a temporary? Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks to temporary work for many is lack of job security. Temporary workers often receive limited feedback on their accomplishments and never are with the company long enough to witness long-term effects for their work. Temporary workers may be treated as company outsiders and may be shut out of meetings and social functions. Some full-time employees view temporary workers as an obstruction to raises and commissions. Temporary workers continually must enter new jobs, adapt to different personalities and work situations and perform their duties with limited knowledge of the company. Back to the library Reproduction of this article cannot be accomplished without the expressed consent of Human Resource Staffing. Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on all aspects of HR and CEO of Human Resource Staffing. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. Contact Don@HumanResourceStaffingInc.com 952 854 6040