Temporary vs. Staffing....what's the difference?
August 10, 2010 by Mary Beth Maddox
All across our Country, we are starting to see an increase in consumption of temporary and staffing services. These terms are often used inter changeably within the industry so it is no wonder that people get them confused. Here is a quick run down of the difference and how Employers and Employees benefit from these concepts.
What's the difference in "Temporary" or "Staffing" jobs?
"Temporary" Placements are made to meet one of three needs: 1) cover an employee absence like maternity leave or vacation, 2) help an employer get through a peak season or 3) for help with a specific project.
"Staffing" placements are made when an employer intentionally limits the size of his core group. Employers that choose to utilize this concept are actually providing increased job security for their core group. They also get the benefit of adjusting their staff size to meet changing business conditions and have a readily available pool to hire from when they need to increase headcount.
So, how do Employers benefit from these programs?
Employers benefit by being able to adjust staff size very quickly to meet changes in their sales. This is extremely important when you are dealing with a sluggish economy like we are now. Employers that have too much staff and do nothing will struggle to make profits. If Employers don't make profits, they don't survive. With so many American businesses in trouble, they need all the help they can get.
Employers also benefit by saving on benefit costs and unemployment costs. By utilizing a Staffing Company, they avoid these direct costs.
Employers that utilize "staffing" and "temporary" programs also avoid the emotional stress of having a lay off. It is extremely heart wrenching for Employers to have to downsize their staff. It is a painful choice that leaves many Companies with permanent scars.
So, what's in it for the Employees of Companies that use a Staffing Company?
The Employees of Companies that utilize the "staffing" and "temporary" concepts enjoy greater job security. Basically, as long as there are agency employees being utilized, your job is protected.
So, how does this affect people that are unemployed or that have been caught up in lay offs?
The Staffing Industry creates jobs. Employers are much more likely to add new positions through a Staffing Agency arrangement than they are to employ them directly. The concept allows Employers to "test" the water earlier than they would if this concept were not available. This gets people back to work faster!
So, what is the bottom line?
The "temporary" and "staffing" concepts create win/win scenarios for Employers, their current workforce and any one that is currently looking for employment.