Whether you use the services of temporary employees on a regular basis, or just periodically, here are some “tips” for getting the most productivity for your money.
- Take the time to provide careful instructions and orientation. Introduce your temporary worker to any other employees they’ll be working with, and make sure all supplies, equipment, passwords, and other necessary information are provided. If possible, always have a workstation prepared in advance.
- Notify other workers in advance about the temporary position and why you’ve created it. This can eliminate a lot of “emotional over-reactions” for employees who may be wary that their own job security, career advancement, and earnings will be affected.
- Determine how long the job will reasonably take. Keep in mind that a temporary worker may work more slowly until she gets through the learning curve, but after they tackled the basics of the job, your temp is likely to get the job done faster than you expect because she won’t be dealing with “minor distractions” like answering e-mail.
- Inform well-meaning employees that they are not to give unsolicited instructions to the temporary employee. That responsibility is reserved for the individual who hired the temporary worker. This eliminates confusing and contradictory instructions.
- Be clear about whether or not you expect the temporary position to evolve into a full-time position. If there is a legitimate possibility that the temporary employee might eventually join your core workforce, they’ll have more incentive to do a good job. If permanent hiring is not an option, offer to provide a good reference upon project completion.
Source information: “Managing your Contingent Workforce.”
Temps, Part-timers, and Independent Contractors. Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
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