6 Benefits to hiring contract/temporary workers 

Contract and temp employees can provide many benefits and it’s not just in name that they differ from permanent employees. Many employers have different expectations of a temp’s role and what they bring to a business. 

Temps are a useful solution for employers looking to successfully navigate periods of transition or steer a business in a new direction. You may have a big project coming up for which you’ll require an extra pair of hands, or maybe a key member of your team has gone on maternity or paternity leave. Understanding this, and then consolidating your job specifications around your revised requirements and expectations is key. 

Hiring temps and hiring perms are two completely different processes 

Ideally you should write-up completely different job specifications. When hiring for long-term permanent employees you may wish to prioritize personality, a pledged loyalty to your business and a five-year development plan. When hiring for the short-term, most of this is unnecessary. 

Here are six main benefits to bring a contract or temp worker on-board: 

1. Reduced long-term labor cost 

They are a temporary solution, and do not require an annual salary. Neither will you need to accrue money to spend on paid learning and development for them in most instances, as they will only benefit your business for a limited period. 

2. Shorter hiring process 

The process for hiring contract employees is traditionally a lot quicker – and it certainly should be! This is both because you should be hiring for technical skills to deliver something specific rather than long-term cultural fit. 

3. Instant impact 

They are only joining for a short period of time, and should know that they need to make an instant impact. Be courteous but also know that you won’t have to spend weeks familiarizing them with the work environment, introducing them to every member of staff and training them with a whole multitude of systems; they should of course be given a soft landing but they are not your forever people! 

4. Fresh perspectives 

Sometimes it just takes one outsider to completely change – for the better – the way a business operates. The more temps you hire, the more unique perspectives you’re going to get. 

5. Highly skilled, niche experience 

Contract and temps usually have a very specific skillset and are accustomed to performing on very niche projects. Having a highly specialized individual on your team can really help to drive your business forward. 

6. Flexibility 

Perhaps the most widely acknowledged benefit is that they are flexible. Temps allow you to respond to market needs and demands, as they happen. They are often used to working in different locations, for different personalities, for varied periods of time. Also, hiring a contractor gives you the option of evaluating whether you have a long-term job requirement in a function.