Another reason for the enormous growth in the temporary help field is the changing face of the office that results from new technology. The automated office has created a real demand for skilled equipment specialists and operators. Temporary help services as well as individual employers are currently competing heavily for this category of worker.
Traditional uses for temporary help continue to remain a constant in business. Companies still call on a temporary service for quick-fix replacements for ill or vacationing employees, and to handle seasonal needs or one-time projects. According to the Administrative Management Society, nine out of ten businesses now use temporary help at least once a year.
The tremendous growth of the temp industry is also due in part to changing labor factors. Businesses are having difficulty finding the personnel they need because of several shifting factors. First, the women's movement has enabled women who previously might have gone into supporting roles to move into the management sector. Furthermore, the aging of the workforce causes a lack of sufficient lower-level young workers to meet the demand. We have also seen the decline of the traditional secretarial school, which has put increased pressure on businesses to cross-train existing personnel on a variety of office equipment and requires administrators to absorb some of the clerical overload. Finally, increased labor-force mobility means that fewer people are staying at the same jobs for long periods of time; job-hopping has become more acceptable; and with workers spending less time in a position, companies are forced constantly to hire and retrain staff.
Reasons for Using Temporary Help
Here are some of the reasons why client companies use temporary help. (They are not listed in order of frequency or importance.)
- Vacation replacement
- Illness or temporary absence of permanent staff
- Unexpected quits or terminations of permanent staff
- Peak work loads
- Seasonal demand
- Supplement to permanent staff
- Specialized work
- One-time project
- Possible permanency
- To reduce personnel overhead
- Fluctuating business cycles
- Disasters, such as bankruptcy, flood, or fire
- Merger
- Company relocation
- Purchase of new equipment
Although we have attempted to list several categories of individuals who find temp work an attractive option, the field is in no way confined to these groups. Others who enjoy the freedom and the flexibility this type of career provides include teachers during semester breaks, students, flight attendants, people who earn gift money during the September-through-Christmas period, and spouses of military personnel. Here are nineteen good reasons to temp; see if one or more appeal to you.
Reasons-To-Temp Checklist
- I like the adventure of working at different companies and in different industries.
- I can earn more money per hour as a temp.
- I can meet new people, friends and business contacts.
- I’m new to the area; temping is an opportunity to become familiar with the city and its businesses.
- I don't want the commitment of a full-time job.
- I want to work only a few days a week.
- I'd like to earn money while on vacation or while traveling.
- I'm between jobs and want to use temping as a means to explore fields, companies, and new experiences.
- I'm in a city for a limited stay and need to earn an income.
- I want to return to work, and temping is a good way to get my feet wet, and see how the workplace has changed.
- I'm retired, but I'd like to work when I feel the need.
- I'm a performer/artist/writer, and I need flexible hours and an income to pursue my first love.
- I'm a student, and temp work can be arranged around my class schedule so that I can earn some money easily while going to school.
- I think I'd like to work at this company, but I'm not sure. If I temp, I can have a trial period before committing to permanent employment.
- Want to be in control of my career; I don't like feeling I can be manipulated by an employer.
- I want a sense of freedom, to play hooky or do what I want on the days I want to do it.
- I can earn the income I want without the pressures and politics of a traditional career.
- I have children and I want to be home with them when they are not in school.
- I want a permanent position, and temporary jobs can make me visible to an employer.
How the Temp Industry Works?
In order to be a temporary employee, you should have a good understanding of the industry basics. Temporary help firms recruit and screen applicants for temporary jobs. These jobs are listed with the service and are generally from businesses in the surrounding area. Typically, the orders for these workers are placed one or two days in advance; but there are many instances in which orders are for the same day because a customer needs a temp immediately.
Such quick turnaround requires a large and current pool of qualified temps, so that the customer may be served quickly and efficiently. The usual way a temporary help service recruits temps is by advertisement, referral incentives, and word of mouth. Potential temps are screened, tested in certain skill areas, requested to provide names of references, and interviewed by a representative from the temporary service. Often, the service will categorize temps by skill levels and qualifications so that when an order comes in, it is easy to find an appropriate temp. The temporary service hires, fires, issues paychecks, with holds necessary taxes, makes employer contributions to Social Security and Unemployment, and may offer fringe benefits to their temps at their own discretion.
