After the flood of uncertainty released by the 2009 economic collapse, many companies are turning to temporary help as a way to hedge against another economic decline or provide flexibility to their staff.

From 2009 to 2013, the number of temporary workers surged more than 50 percent to nearly 2.7 million employees; the most since 1990. Lingering uncertainty, and a new set of healthcare standards that came along with the Affordable Care Act mandate, have kept the number of people in temporary employment around the same level.

Between lower unemployment claims and higher staff flexibility, there are a number of reasons why supplementing your staff with temporary workers can provide a big return on investment for your company.

Less Time Spent Recruiting

To recruit just one employee: advertisements have to be placed, resumes must be scanned, candidates are interviewed and a decision needs to be made. Using temporary workers eliminates the time and energy spent on this process. Furthermore, you may be able to bring in a temporary worker who is already fully trained – reducing the time spent getting them up to speed.

Test Drive Talent

Hiring the wrong person can do systemic damage to your company, and one way to avoid that costly mistake is to bring on talent on a temporary basis. After a temporary worker has proven their competency and gained experience in your company, they are much more likely to succeed as a full-time employee. Having someone work on a temporary basis also allows you to identify any weaknesses or skill gaps that an interview would not have revealed.

Cut Costs

Temporary employees come to work for your company at a lower cost than full-time employees, since they require fewer expenses. Additional staff can also reduce overtime costs if your present staff is being overworked. Furthermore, temporary employees aren’t required to work 40 hours per week – unlike full-time employees.

Less Unemployment Claims

Temporary personnel are employed by a staffing agency, not your company, which means if they are let go, they cannot file an unemployment insurance claim against your company. Fewer claims means your unemployment insurance rate is less likely to increase, and HR personnel have to spend less time processing claims.

A More Agile Staff

Using temporary help can also help your company adjust to busy periods and respond to personnel losses due to vacations, FMLA leave or other reasons. These workers can also be brought in to either help with a new project, or allow your current staff the time to focus on something else.

Staffing agencies have access to numerous job candidates, capable filling in a range of positions. These temporary employees can be brought in for a matter of hours or days, based on the specific needs of your company.

At Cornerstone, we know how to best leverage temporary staffing to provide the maximum benefit for your company. Feel free to reach out to us, and we can discuss the range of solutions we have available.