Advantages of using a Temp Agency
Advantages of using a Temp Agency
In light of the current labour unrest, perhaps now would be a good time to look at alternative employment options. Temping Agencies, or Labour Brokers, are often given a bad rap in the media, but there are advantages to going this route, both for the employer and the temporary employee.
As in any business, there is the risk of exploitation, but temporary employees are both covered by labour law and have recourse to the CCMA.
It’s happened to most employers at some time or another. Either a key member of staff is unexpectedly on sick leave or unexpected client demands mean that your current staff compliment needs adjustment temporarily.
In most cases the company in question relies on a Temping Agency to get a properly qualified person in quickly.
Temp agencies are a vital part of the economy. Not only do they enable companies in a bind to find the right person for the job, they also allow thousands of people to not only earn money, but gain valuable on-the-job experience.
To most people, the main reason for using a temp is to get someone in to do a given job in case of an emergency. There are other benefits though, these can include:
- Saving time and effort by having the Agency pre-approve candidates, meaning those put forward are the right people for the job.
- All costs associated with their payroll are absorbed by the Agency.
- Making use of a temp means the job gets done, while you look for a perfect candidate in your own time.
- Tackling critical one time projects without having to employ someone full time.
When most people think of a temp, they think of the typical ‘Girl Friday’, but temping agencies have both skilled and unskilled people on their books, everything from truck drivers to IT staff, ensuring that clients can find the person they need, when they need them.
Using a temping agency can also bolster the morale of your existing staff during high pressure periods and when that period passes, the temp moves on to the next job.
Being able to replace someone who is not performing or not suited to the job is also made much easier through using an agency. In our rigid labour market, this can not only save you money, but your reputation too.
Temping Agencies offer a service that is not only needed, by both employers and employees, but is also vital to the economy. During times of labour unrest, temping agencies supply the labour that keeps companies going and in addition offer many people a way of making money, albeit only on a temporary basis. However this temporary employment may open the door to more permanent employment in the future and for the employee, offers the opportunity to see if the job they’ve applied for is really what they want to do.
Although there is a lot of discussion about Labour Brokers, there is no doubt that a Temping Agency can provide benefits to all involved – The Employer and the Employee. Many temps go on to acquire full time employment after the employer has had an opportunity to observe the temp in the workplace.
With Labour Legislation heavily favouring the workers it could be worthwhile to get a temp until you are ready to employ someone full time. This route could prevent lengthy and expensive processes to replace someone who is unsuited for the position.
Information for this article was supplied by ProLimPo Temporary Workforce Solutions and the article was written by Jerard van der Walt.