Most businesses have ‘busy periods’. This is when demand for your services is higher, you need to produce more stock, or you simply take on more projects to ensure that everyone gets a Christmas bonus.
Even if this happens around the same time every year, making certain ‘seasons’ busier than others, it can still cause a lot of pressure to build up. If you miss a deadline or are forced to disappoint customers, your reputation will be affected, and you’ll be forced to play catch up for a long time after.
Thankfully, there is a way to handle the extra workload and keep your reputation intact.
The Importance of Seasonal Staff for Businesses
When things get busy, businesses have a choice. Some hire more permanent staff, who will be around for an extended period of time, supporting the business throughout the busy seasons, but also the rest of the year. This is great on paper, but if things are too quiet outside of those busy times, you’ll be paying extra salaries for little benefit.
The other option is to hire temporary workers. These will be hand-picked professionals who will be experienced in your line of work, and are able to adapt quickly to a new environment. Then once their work is done, they’ll disappear again and things can continue as normal.
The latter looks like a much better idea. But there are some things you should keep in mind before you start looking for temporary workers.
The Pros and Cons of Seasonal Staff
Some business owners avoid using temporary workers because they think adding new people into the mix will slow things down. But experienced seasonal staff will be used to this, and will have amiable personalities that allows them to fit in quickly. They can also provide unique insight into a particular project, something you can use to your advantage.
The process is also much faster. The permanent hiring process is painfully slow; it can take a long time to find the right applicants. If there’s a big project on the horizon, you want to make sure your business is ready for it, and aren’t still waiting for backup when it starts.
But there are some potential downsides. Even the best will need some time to adjust, and get to grips with your systems and approaches to the job. They will be adaptable, but they’re still human.
There’s also a small chance that they won’t be as well-suited to the role as you initially thought. A shiny CV can get you through the door, but if they aren’t willing to put the effort in, or clash with the rest of your team, you aren’t upgrading your workforce in the way you planned.
However, this can be minimised by using an agency to find your seasonal staff.
The Best Approach for Finding Seasonal Staff
The best way to find seasonal staff, or any temporary workers, is via an agency. These companies have databases full of skilled workers, and will help you to find the perfect fit for your business.
Their workers can also help with:
- Covering for Absence – Including maternity leave, sickness, and retirement
- Filling Skill Gaps – This allows you to take on more ambitious projects
- Bridging Gaps – While you source new permanent hires
When you approach an agency, they’ll take a lot of pressure off you. Instead of dealing with job boards and managing applications, they can handle all of that on your behalf.
Some agencies will also conduct the first wave of interviews, doing it manually or using AI tools to filter out less-suitable workers. Then you’ll be presented with a shortlist and can make the final choices yourself. This means that whoever you hire will be perfect for the role, but you still have plenty of control over the process.
But an agency can also let you down. If they’re frustrating to work with or just aren’t good enough, they clearly aren’t working with Back Office Support Services.
How we Support Temporary Recruitment Agencies
Our service provides everything that a temporary recruitment agency needs to keep their clients happy. For one single fee, they receive:
This enables them to pay workers correctly and on time thanks to better cash flow, using invoices that won’t be delayed. They’ll also be protected from clients’ financial difficulties, as their credit limits will be monitored and adjusted when necessary.
We provide this via two points of contact. First is a payroll account manager. They’ll be in regular contact with you and your clients, building a better relationship that keeps the latter around for longer.
The other is your credit controller. As mentioned one of the most important facets of our service is credit control – it’s something no agency should operate without. They’ll handle all of that for you, providing regular updates that keep you in the loop.
The reports both professionals provide will ensure you aren’t missing anything, but are still free to focus on what matters most: running your business.
Seasonal Staff that Keeps your Business Running Smoothly
We hope that this week’s blog has outlined why seasonal staff are so beneficial. If you’re expecting a busy period in the future, or just want to strengthen your ranks without paying a fortune in salaries, temporary workers are the way forward.
And if you’re an agency who provides temporary workers, make sure you use Back Office Support Services to ensure reliable service that benefits you, your clients, and the temporary workers within your database.
If you have any questions about us or our service, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!