Contract hires are a great way to stay agile, get help when you need it, and take on new, lucrative opportunities – all without adding to your fixed overhead. Yet, to get the most from your short-terms workers, it’s important to make them feel like a part of the team. Here are a few ways to do that, so you can set yourself and your temporary and full-time staff up for success.
Ways to Make Your Temp Workers Feel Part of the Team
Inform Your Full-Time Employees
Before you bring temporary workers on board, explain to your full-time employees why you need them. Otherwise, they might feel like their job security is being threatened.
Instead, be open and honest about what temporary workers can offer to the team and the company as a whole, and be sure to address any questions your employees have. Not only will they feel more comfortable with the situation, but they will also be more welcoming as a result.
Train and Onboard Your Temp Workers
Just because they’re only going to be working for you for a short period of time, doesn’t mean you should skip training or onboarding. It might be a shortened version than what you’d do with your full-time employees. But it’s still vital to help temp workers get up and running in the job and also understand the ins and outs of company culture. This will also make them feel more comfortable, allowing them to get to work faster and be more productive.
Introduce Contract Workers Around and Assign a Buddy
Another great way to introduce your culture to temp workers is to make they’ve met everyone on the team and have a buddy to turn to for questions, concerns, or challenges they face. This will help to prevent problems from escalating, while also making you temp worker feel like they belong. They’ll be more engaged and harder working, as a result.
Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Just as you would with a full-time employee, set clear goals and expectations for temporary workers. Explain exactly what you need them to do, when, and the impact it has on the bigger picture. Make sure they know where to turn for questions and let them know your door is open if they need anything.
Also, praise and recognize temporary workers for a job well done, just as you would with full-time staff. Taking these steps will go a long way in making temp workers feel more at home.
Keep Contract Workers in the Loop
Invite your temporary workers to meetings, company social hours, networking events, and any other activities. This can help your temporary and full-time workers get to know each other, so they can collaborate together.
In addition, today’s temp worker might be your next great full-time hire in the future. So you want to ensure they have a positive, well-rounded experience where they feel like a part of the team.
Get Expert Help With Contract Hiring
At Future Force, we’re a leading temporary staffing agency in the Orlando, FL, area, serving companies of all sizes. Whether you need temp workers now or are interested in learning more, we’re a call or click away.
