Temporary work is a growing trend in the UK job market, with more and more people taking on temporary positions. At Labour 24/7, we’re all about helping employers find the ideal candidates to fill their temporary roles.
But, hiring temporary staff isn’t just beneficial for employers – it’s a great opportunity for candidates too. Not only does it offer freedom and flexibility, but it also provides a chance for temps to learn new skills and gain valuable experience. And for businesses, hiring temporary staff can save time and money.
So, whether you’re a job seeker or an employer, temporary employment could be the perfect solution for you. Learn more about the benefits of temporary work and how Labour 24/7 can help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
“Hard work is temporary, but what you get out of it lasts.”
Quick Navigation
- What is temporary employment
- Benefits for employers
- Temporary worker uk stats
- Benefits for workers
- Temporary work FAQs
What is temporary employment?
Temporary employment is a flexible work arrangement where an employee is hired for a specific project or to cover a busy period. This type of work allows for greater flexibility and is ideal for companies with short-term staffing needs. There are two types of temporary work – short-term and long-term – both operating under the same premise that the employee is not a permanent member of staff.
1. Fixed-term contracts
Need temporary staff for a specific task or busy season? Consider a fixed-term contract. With this type of contract, an individual is employed for a specific period of time, ranging from 1-6 months to a year, depending on the task at hand.
Fixed-term contracts are ideal for companies that have short-term staffing needs and want to avoid hiring permanent staff. For instance, retail businesses may require extra help during the holiday season, and a fixed-term contract allows them to hire staff when needed without the obligation of keeping them on afterwards.
2. Temporary contracts
Looking for more flexible temporary work arrangements? Consider temporary contracts, which are less formal and don’t typically require a specific contractual agreement. This type of work could include a one-off task or a specified number of hours per week until a project is completed.
Although less common than fixed-term contracts, temporary contracts can still be a great option for both employers and workers.
Temporary worker stats
Nearly 1/3rd of workers in temporary contracts are doing so for the first time, while 47% have been temping for less than a year. Nearly half of workers cite the need for increased income as the primary reason they do temporary work.
Benefits of Temporary Employment for Employers
Although some employers may hesitate to hire temporary employees, the benefits of doing so can save time, money, and resources. Here are some primary benefits for businesses:
1. Cover Seasonal Fluctuations
Temporary workers provide flexibility for HR departments to adjust to workload fluctuations. For instance, retail may experience a surge in demand during the Christmas season, and temporary workers can help cover the additional workload.
2. Reduce your risk of hiring mistakes
Temporary employment reduces the risk of hiring mistakes associated with permanent employment. Businesses have the flexibility to finish a contract early or extend it as needed, depending on how things develop, which removes the risk of being stuck with a bad hire.
3. Cover unexpected absences
Temporary employees can be quickly and easily recruited to cover unexpected absences, such as long-term sickness, maternity or paternity leave, or sudden departures. This also allows businesses to retain staff who are an integral part of the team by hiring a temporary worker to cover their absence for the exact amount of time needed.
4. Flexibility
Hiring temporary workers promotes workforce flexibility that can adapt to the evolving needs of a growing business.
4. Reduce stress for existing staff
Temporary staff can reduce stress for existing employees, as they provide additional help to the team and prevent burnout, mandatory overtime, and loss of work-life balance. While managing the dynamic between temporary and permanent employees can be tricky, having more help on the team can boost morale and productivity.
6. Find the right fit
It allows you to gain a feel for your new employee to ensure that they are a good fit for your team. If you feel as though the pairing isn’t working out, you can ask your recruitment consultant to search for somebody else.
7. Discover future leaders
Over 1/3rd of managers began as temporary staff, so a temporary employee could become a pivotal member of a business and a potential future leader.
8. Speed of recruitment
Temporary employment offers a faster way to recruit, as the recruitment consultant handles checks, initial interviews, and payroll for temporary workers. This frees up time in the business to focus on more critical areas.
9. Bring in fresh skills
Temporary staff can bring valuable new skills and a fresh perspective to a company. They may offer ideas from other companies and suggest improvements to existing processes.
10. Control your costs
Temporary employment enables businesses to control costs by adding staff without increasing permanent headcount and expenses. Hiring multiple temps can cover spikes in demand without any long-term commitment when the workload decreases.
11. Allow project work
Hiring temporary workers is a great way to manage new or existing projects, fast-track progress, and handle contentious issues such as redundancy processes.
Benefits of Temporary Employment for Candidates
Here are just a few of the benefits you could enjoy when hiring temporary workers
1. You are in control of your work
Take control of your career with temporary jobs that offer flexibility. Enjoy the freedom to take breaks and tailor your work to fit your life. Ideal for those seeking autonomy in their work life.
2. Entitled to rights and protections
Enjoy peace of mind as a temporary employee with access to benefits like sick pay and holiday allowance, as well as the same quality of working conditions as permanent employees. You have the right to work in a protected environment.
3. Networking opportunities
Temporary roles provide excellent opportunities to expand your professional network. You can meet new people and potentially connect with permanent employers while on the job.
4. Opportunity to secure permanent employment
Explore different organisations and find the right fit with temporary roles, without the obligation to stay after the contract ends. Temporary employment can also lead to permanent opportunities for those who seek them.
5. Learn new skills and gain experience
Enhance your CV and boost employability with temporary placements that offer opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience in various roles or systems. Working with reputable companies can improve career prospects by providing valuable experience.
Choose Labour 24/7 for Temporary Staffing Solutions
By using temporary contracts, businesses can increase their flexibility and receive additional support when needed, which can lead to success. If you’re interested in temporary work as an individual, our friendly and professional team at Labour 24/7 can provide the same level of support throughout the process.
Temporary Work FAQs
Why might a firm employ staff on temporary contracts?
Temporary contracts allow for flexibility in staffing levels while reducing overall staffing costs, keeping full-time employees productive without overworking them.
What are the disadvantages of temporary staff?
- No job security
- Lower pay grade
- Unlikely to progress up the career ladder
- Placements can be shorter than expected
- Struggle to fit in with the team
Are temporary workers cheaper to employ?
Temp workers are usually less expensive to hire than permanent employees who receive benefits. For short-term jobs, hiring temps is generally more cost-efficient. For jobs lasting six months or longer, hiring a full-time employee may be more economical.
How many temporary workers are there in the uk?
According to D. Clark, there are an estimated 1.66 million temporary workers in the UK as of January 2023. This is a +14.4% increase since January 2020, and expected to continue rising.
What are the disadvantages of temporary work?
- No job security: temporary contracts offer no security and may end without notice, leaving workers without income.
- Lower pay grade: temporary workers may earn less than permanent staff and have limited opportunities to advance.
- Unlikely to progress up the career ladder: temporary workers are less likely to receive training or advancement opportunities.
- Temporary jobs can be shorter than expected: it can be challenging to budget when temporary jobs are only expected to last a short time.
- Struggling to fit in with the team: temporary workers may find it difficult to integrate into established teams and may not have access to all information or meetings.
It is important to research and consider if temporary work is the right fit for each individual as it may have both advantages and disadvantages.