What is Temporary Employment?
Temporary employment is employment based upon a contract to complete a specific short-term job. Employers utilize temporary employees to assist with projects that require skill sets not found within the company or to provide extra manpower during unusually busy times of the year. Often, temporary employment is offered through temporary staffing agencies or on a freelance basis.
In the United States, temporary employment is offered directly by the employer on a contract or seasonal basis, or through a temporary staffing agency. The duration of temporary assignments can vary from a single day to as much as a year, but is typically contingent on the availability of work to be completed. Temporary employment opportunities exist in almost every industry, and for nearly every specialty. Staffing agencies most commonly offer clerical, skilled and unskilled labor positions, while private companies are more likely to contract highly skilled workers for specific assignments in which the current employees lack the skill or knowledge to complete.
Why Do Companies Use Temporary Employees?
Many companies utilize temporary employment during times when business sees a seasonal upswing. For example, in the retail industry, additional employees may be needed just before the holidays, while in industrial businesses the seasonal need may be dependant upon the time of year in which the products produced are in demand.
The major advantage to hiring employees on a temporary basis is that the company does not have the long-term responsibility of providing benefits that would be available to full-time employees, such as vacation time, health benefits and retirement plans. Companies can lower their risk factor even further by hiring temporary employees through a temporary staffing agency, as the staffing agency is responsible for unemployment insurance and general liability insurance, thus protecting the company from costs associated with on the job injuries or lay-offs.
What Are the Advantages to Temporary Employment for the Employee?
Temporary employment opportunities can be valuable to the employee in several ways. They often help bridge the gap between employment and provide extra income after a lay-off or during times of unemployment. Temporary work assignments are also a great way to learn new skills and "try out" a new company or job title before seeking permanent employment.
Most importantly, for those actively seeking permanent employment, a temporary work assignment may provide a valuable "foot in the door" with a company that may be otherwise difficult to achieve. Many companies, especially in a flooded job market where applicants are plentiful, will use the services of a temporary staffing agency to try out several possible candidates for a position. The temporary work assignment gives the job seeker a chance to prove his or her work ethic and skills to the employer, increasing the chances of being offered a full-time position upon completion of the temporary assignment.