Benefits of hiring temporary employees

Employer & employee benefits

Hiring temporary employees can offer several benefits to both employers and the temporary workers themselves. Here are some of the advantages of hiring temporary employees.

Flexibility

Temporary employees provide employers with the flexibility to scale their workforce up or down based on changing business needs. This is particularly useful for seasonal fluctuations, special projects, or unexpected increases in workload.

Cost savings

Temporary employees are often less expensive than full-time, permanent employees because employers do not have to provide them with benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. This can result in significant cost savings for companies.

Specialised skills

Temporary workers can be brought in to fill specific skill gaps or to work on specialised projects that require expertise that might not be available within the existing workforce.

Quick hiring process

Hiring temporary employees typically involves a shorter recruitment and onboarding process compared to permanent hires, allowing employers to address urgent staffing needs more swiftly.

Reduced long-term commitment

Employers are not tied to long-term employment contracts with temporary workers, which can be especially beneficial if they're uncertain about the stability of their staffing needs.

Try before you hire

Hiring temporary employees can serve as a "trial period" to assess an individual's fit within the organisation and their performance. If they excel, employers may choose to offer them a permanent position.

Diverse perspectives

Temporary employees can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the workplace, contributing to innovation and creativity within the organisation.

Reduced training time

Many temporary workers have previous experience and require minimal training, making them productive more quickly.

Lower turnover

Since temporary employees are aware that their employment is temporary, they may be less likely to leave for another job, reducing turnover rates.

Workload relief

Temporary employees can help alleviate the workload of existing employees during peak periods, reducing stress and preventing burnout.

Increased productivity

When used strategically, temporary employees can help improve overall productivity by allowing full-time employees to focus on more critical tasks while temporary workers handle routine or lower-priority responsibilities.

Compliance with labour laws

Hiring temporary workers can help organisations comply with labour laws and regulations, as they may not be subject to the same rules governing benefits and employment protections as permanent employees.

Geographical flexibility

Temporary employees can be particularly useful in remote or satellite locations where hiring permanent staff might not be feasible.

Staffing continuity

Temporary employees can fill in during maternity leaves, sabbaticals, or other long-term absences to maintain operational continuity.

It's important to note that while there are many benefits to hiring temporary employees, there are also some challenges and considerations, such as potential difficulties in team integration, consistency, and loyalty. Therefore, employers should carefully assess their specific needs and objectives when deciding to hire temporary workers.

For more information regarding this topic, read LinkedIn's article on the benefits of hiring contractors and temporary staff.