Contract staffing as a recruitment strategy

You’ve probably heard of contract staffing as a service offered by recruitment agencies. But how exactly does it work? And what advantages can it bring to employers and job-seekers alike?

Contract staffing is the process of hiring a worker on a short-term basis rather than recruiting a permanent employee. With flexible working on the rise and market demands shifting faster than ever, contract staffing is a preferred option for many employees and employers alike.

The contract lasts for a defined length of time, after which the independent contractor and the company generally don’t have any further obligations to each other. The contract period might be chosen to cover a specific short-term project, busy season, or period of leave taken by a key employee, and it can be based around either full-time or part-time work.  
 

For both employers and employees, contract staffing is seen as offering more flexibility. Independent workers are not tied to a particular job or company, which can bring certain lifestyle advantages. In turn, employers can adapt their staffing to meet demand, which is often a more cost-effective approach. 

For employers, one advantage is that recruiting an independent contractor is usually a much faster way to fill a gap in their staff compared to finding a permanent hire. Using a contract staffing service also means that companies don’t need to worry about the time-consuming aspects of hiring new personnel – the contract staffing agency can handle the process of finding, vetting, and recommending the best candidates, as well as taking care of payroll and onboarding, if desired.

Contract workers should keep in mind that they are not always entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees. Temporary employees on a staffing contract might not be eligible for development opportunities, paid holidays, or termination pay. For many people, however, these downsides are outweighed by the benefits of being independent, which can offer a better work–life balance as well as the freedom to pursue different opportunities.

On the other hand, contract work can sometimes lead to long-term opportunities. This is known as contract-to-hire: if the contract worker and the company are both in favor, a permanent job offer might follow a successful contract period. This allows both parties to gain an insight into the relationship before committing to anything for the long term.