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Temporary employees provide a great way to augment your team. They offer flexibility and the ability to handle sudden surges in orders. However, hiring temp workers can be tricky. You need a good process to make sure you get the highest level of productivity you can.

Without the right procedures in place, temps can become a trap. You can end up cycling through unqualified workers. Or you can see your efficiency suffer because of your new undertrained and underprepared team members.

However, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are steps you can take to make sure you get the most out of your temp hires. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when bringing in temporary workers:

Mistake #1: Not Creating a Detailed Job Description

Companies sometimes think of temp workers in general terms. They consider them fill-in labor that can be thrown into any situation. This conception can lead to a casual attitude toward preparing job descriptions and other pre-hire materials.

This is a mistake. Like with any other employee, individual team members will have skills and shortcomings. You want to match those attributes with the work you need to be done. By having a complete and detailed job description available, you make it easier to find the best person for the position.

Mistake #2: Going Too Fast

The casual approach to hiring can spill over into the recruitment process itself. Companies can get short-sighted about the situation and look to bring in warm bodies as fast as they can. While this can speed up the process, it can lead to problems later.

Avoid these pitfalls by creating a thorough process for hiring temps. Then, stick to your procedures as much as possible, even as deadlines get tight. Obviously, you must do what’s necessary to get your work done. But, by investing a little time and effort, you can save headaches down the road.

Mistake #3: Not Providing Enough Training

Another casualty of the too-fast approach to recruiting temp workers: training. Because they are considered temporary, companies often treat these team members as short term stopgaps. This leads firms to cut corners when it comes to training.

This strategy can dramatically cut into productivity. Even on a short-term basis, a lack of training can significantly limit efficiency. Better to spend a little additional time and effort in the early stages and get better production over the course of a worker’s time at your company.

Mistake #4: Treating Them Like Temps

Sometimes companies hold temps at arm’s length. Because these workers are temporary, supervisors and coworkers don’t integrate them into the team. This can impact productivity, weaken morale, and leave a bad impression with the temps, which can ultimately hurt your employer brand.

Recognize temps as important parts of your team. This will help them produce from the first moment you bring them in. Also, actively engaging your temporary workers gives you an opportunity to groom them for potential long-term assignments.

Mistake #5: Focusing on the Short Term

The word “temp” can be misleading. Though they may join your organization in what is considered a temporary capacity, these workers have to potential to impact your company in dramatic ways. Long-term skills like teamwork and communication come into play. Don’t ignore these by focusing too intently on the short term.

Getting the best temporary workers lets you take your business to the next level. A top staffing agency, like PrideStaff, lets you find the ideal people to fill out your team.

Contact PrideStaff today to find out how to increase your flexibility and upgrade your staffing prospects.

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