Finding the right person for a job can be a complicated task at any time, but when the vacancy needs to be filled quickly and efficiently, it can become even more difficult. More and more employers are discovering that one of the best solutions to this problem is to hire temporary workers.
According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), 1.2million temporary employees fill vacancies in the UK every week, across a broad range of profession and industries.
‘Temping’ as it is commonly known, has become an increasingly popular solution for both organisations and employees and as attitudes to work change, variety and flexibility is increasingly being viewed as key indicators of job satisfaction. Genesis Personnel, in both our Aberdeen and Peterhead-based offices specialise in filling vacancies, whether temporary or permanent.
Wendy Marr, senior recruitment co-ordinator with Genesis, said: “It can be a daunting process for a firm to find someone to fill a vacancy, particularly if that person needs to be appointed quickly. “By using temporary workers, a company is not only assured of a readily available member of staff, but also someone with the correct skills and training to ensure the job is carried out efficiently and effectively.”
Genesis has a proven track record in helping temps find suitable positions and has even helped some employees secure long-term employment in a variety of industries.
Janet Smith moved to the North-east around 14 years ago and started temping with Genesis at a seafood company in Peterhead. Following a short period of temporary employment, Janet was then offered a permanent position and has since progressed to an HR manager’s role with Wood Group Pressure Control in Peterhead. “If I hadn’t started out as a temp I would never have been in a position to secure my most recent position,” explained Janet. “Because I was given an opportunity by the agency I was able to progress and eventually find permanent employment.”
Debbie Cadger signed up with Genesis in 1983. She continued temping with the firm until 2000, before being offered a full-time position as payroll administrator at the firm’s Peterhead office. With many associated benefits, temping has helped Debbie boost her confidence and gain some valuable workplace experience. Debbie said: “Genesis has always provided me with the flexibility to pick from a variety of roles - I have tackled everything from junior office positions right through to PA assignments. From a personal point of view I have met so many different people and have learnt to work independently and as part of a team. Being a temp gives you the opportunity to experience a wide variety of industries, which helps to identify what you are good at and where your talents are best used.”
Genesis cites the main benefits of hiring a temporary worker as follows:
- Temporary workers can be used to cover holidays, illness or maternity leave
- A temporary worker may only be required to cover a short-term increase in workload
- Temporary workers can provide specialist support where skill gaps exist within an organisation
- The position may not be long-term and therefore a permanent employee is not required
- There is no long-term liability or obligation to provide permanent employment
- It can delay the decision to take on new members of staff
- Employers have the chance to establish whether a candidate is suitable for a permanent position
While the benefits to a temporary worker are:
- They have the flexibility to work when and sometimes even where they want
- They can work across a variety of different industries to glean valuable experience
- They can meet lots of new people with each assignment
- Many temporary positions can lead to permanent contracts
- They are still eligible to all standard employment rights, i.e, holiday pay etc.
- They can try a job first before a full-time position is considered
- They can find out if a particular company, surroundings or staff members are to their liking.
Wendy added: “Temping can reap benefits for both the employer and the employee. For example, an individual can choose the frequency of assignments to suit their personal circumstances. We have approximately 100-120 temps out on a weekly basis, with figures likely to increase as summer approaches. We offer a variety of positions, examples include admin/secretarial through to labourers, engineers and apprentices.” Wendy believes that using an agency further simplifies the whole recruitment process. “Through agencies, companies have access to extensive databases of potential workers,” she said. “In addition, agencies provide a speedy and efficient service, ensuring cover can be provided as and when required. “They also take care of payroll and administration issues, allowing organisations the freedom to concentrate on their everyday activities without disruption.”
With bases in Aberdeen and Peterhead, Genesis Personnel provides recruitment and employment agency services to an international client base.
The company is owned by Seletar Shipping (Scotland) Limited of Aberdeen, Peterhead and Great Yarmouth.
