It is not usual for a temp to make more money per hour than a permanent employee. If an employee asks you about your rates, it is perfectly permissible to decline to answer; but do it pleasantly. You don't want to create any unnecessary animosity between you and the permanent staff. You might answer by saying, "Not nearly what I'm worth," or something equally safe. However, if you are pressured and feel you must respond, it is best to answer that you are paid a different hourly rate on every assignment and then give your range. If you know that the permanent employee is making less per hour, you might then ask if he or she has a benefits package, since many people neglect to include this in their annual compensation.
One temp told us that he deserved to make more than the permanent employees because he worked much harder and had a better understanding of the work than they did. Of course, he didn't want to tell them that, so he explained that he only worked a few days per week and was working at the highest rate his service would pay him so that he could make ends meet.
I felt uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to live with their hostility... I ended up making temporary work sound awfully even though I love it. Some people get threatened when they see a temp come in and do a good job... I always take a low profile on my assignments... I’m temping because I’m a writer; I’m not there to make friends or enemies.
A Client Wants to Hire You without Telling Your Service
Unfortunately, what is known in the industry as pirating does occur. What the client is trying to do is steal you away from the temporary service. It may present the offer like this: "The temp service is paying you $10 an hour and the service is charging us $14 an hour. Let’s make us both happy: We'll pay you $12 an hour and we'll bypass the service."
Don't let such offers tempt you. And think twice about working for such a client. Companies who try to do this know it is against their contract, which is why they want to keep it quiet. If you really want to work there, tell the companies it must go through your service. Some will oblige, and those that won't will probably terminate your assignment. Why don't they want your service to know? Because, they have agreed to pay your service, a charge known as liquidated damages to compensate the service for the loss of their employee. The amount of the liquidated damage varies from service to service. It is always the responsibility of the client to pay this charge. Do not let anyone tell you that you must contribute to it. Most services require a temp to tell them of a possible temporary-to-permanent conversion and outline this policy on the back of a temporary employee's time sheet. Be sure you read your service's time sheet when you sign it and submit it for your weekly wages.
Negotiating a Higher Rate
Asking for a raise can be a difficult experience. Hopefully, your service will have a policy that gives temps periodic raises for excellent job performance.
However, let's assume you are working with a service that seems to ignore pay increases. You have two choices: You can register with another service or you can ask for a raise. If you have enjoyed your assignments and you work well with your AM, go for the raise. Of course, you will need to back up your request with proof that you are an asset to their staff. For example:
- Have you learned any new skills since you first signed up with it?
- Have you agreed to over 90 percent of the assignments you've been called for?
- Do you have a good record for being on time and not calling in sick?
- Has the service received letters or calls commending your abilities?
- Are you requested back by companies where you've worked?
- Do you look and act like a professional?
- Have you been with the service for at least six months?
Let us just clarify what we mean by "raise." We mean a raise at the low end of your rate. In other words, if you have been paid $13 to $15 an hour on various assignments, you want to increase your range by increasing the $13. Being told you can have the upper end of your range extended to $16 an hour for some assignments isn't as good as getting the $13 raised to $14.
The service should be able to tell you what kinds of skills they expect for a higher rate. Most temp managers recognize the value of a good temp, and you will get your raise. We must warn you, however, that you should always conduct yourself like a professional. Services frown on temps who "hold them hostage," for example, saying something like "I won't complete this assignment unless I get a raise." If you find your service takes a tough stand on the raise issue and you think you can get more somewhere else, then the decision is up to you to move to a new employer. Just as in a permanent position, sometimes you need a change of scenery to be appreciated.
