How to Manage a Staff of Temporary Workers

The full and original article was published on All Business

If you’ve decided to bring on one or more temporary workers to aid your business, then you’ve probably already realized that managing a contingent workforce differs in key ways from managing your full-time staff.

Here are some valuable tips on how to manage temp workers to ensure that they deliver the volume and caliber of work that you hired them to perform:

Have a Clear Action Plan

Prior to bringing on temporary workers, be sure you are able to answer the following questions:

• What is the approximate length of the project you want your temp worker to complete?
• What is the scope of the project and exactly what will it entail?
• How do you convey this information succinctly and accurately to someone who might be unfamiliar with your company?

Don’t Treat Temps as Second-Cass Citizens

In the past, the term “temp” might have evoked the image of a mindless drone clocking in and out, or a wayward young person with little investment in their day job aside from making a buck pushing papers. But this is no longer the case. Many intelligent, engaged individuals pursue temporary work for its variety, the ability to enhance networking prospects, and for exposure to new industries and ideas.

Solicit “Temporary” Input

Moving from project to project and company to company means temporary workers tend to amass a great deal of diverse experience. You may not realize that in addition to the computer skills you hired your temp for, he or she also possesses a knack for project management, or some other areas in which your company can benefit from additional ideas.

Stay in Touch with Talent

Just because their project has come to a close doesn’t mean you should send your temp packing with barely a good-bye. Good talent is good talent, regardless of how it comes to you, and there may come a time when you need quality temp workers once again.