Written by Leigh Foster

If you’re a large organisation, it’s extremely likely that you are already making use of the ever-growing contingent workforce in the UK, but if you’re not, then creating a strategy to hire talented contingent workers should be high on your priority as we head into an uncertain new year. 

The contingent workforce in the UK is increasing at a rapid rate due to the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns.  As of November 2020, the number increased by an additional 2.4% on top of the usual seasonal total.  If you compare this to the 3 months period before August 2020, the number of contingent workers actually decreased by 0.1%.

There are a number of pros to hiring contingent workers during 2021. See below:

• Enables your business to adjust more easily and quickly to workload fluctuations. Pertemps Managed Solutions can quickly provide your business with qualified staff due to unexpected demands such as COVID-19 related projects, seasonal/peak periods or employee shortages.
• This can allow your business to evaluate a worker without any commitment. On top of allowing you to enter into a number of partnerships with no long-term commitments, working with contingent staff also gives you the opportunity to “try before you buy,” or explore the possibility of more permanent relationships with talented contingent workers on a short-term basis. If you find a temporary employee that is a great fit for your company, you then have the option to transition them from temp to perm hire.
• Can save time and money. The cost of hiring contingent workers is often cheaper if the role is to fulfil a short-term project or provide cover for situations such as long-term illness or maternity leave.
• Temps can help boost team morale and productivity. Happy employees with a healthy work/life balance tend to produce their best work. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has likely created multiple new points of stress for your permanent staff, from the frustrations of working remotely, the potential of being furloughed to increased individual workloads and overtime hours as a result of shrinking teams. By bringing in new contingent staff during the pandemic, your permanent employees can gain needed support and increase their productivity by working with or delegating tasks to their temp colleagues. Contingent staff who are new to your company can bring fresh ideas and energy to the organisation whilst also appreciating your company culture from a different perspective than your permanent employees.

At Pertemps Managed Solutions, we have a number of innovative tools, strategies and large talent pools to supply skilled contingent staff to your business during these challenging times. Get in touch to find out how we can support you navigate the ever-changing climate.