Hiring temps during UK labour shortage 

The UK’s workforce is shrinking at a ferocious rate. Gone are the days when great employees flocked to your careers page in their thousands. The job market has changed, the way people look for new roles has changed, and the way you lock in top talent has changed.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though: you still have options. Today we’re going to talk about the benefits of temporary hiring, what it can do for your business and why it’s something you should think about if you still have plans to recruit the best staff around. Let’s take a look. 

You can’t get the staff these days 

Why is that? You’re a great company with big plans, making a huge impact, and are an awesome place to learn, earn and grow. So what gives? Why aren’t people queuing up to get their foot in your proverbial door? 

Well, there are a few reasons. Covid has played a big part, there’s no getting away from that. Longer waiting lists at the hospital have left people unable to work – they’re physically unable to carry out their roles. Others are apprehensive about leaping back into the workforce whilst Covid is alive and well. Some people are trying their hand at entrepreneurship, whilst others can’t seem to make sense of going to work when they can take home more money by staying at home. 

Whatever reason it may be for you and your industry, there’s no denying the fact that assembling a high-performing team is becoming more of an uphill battle with each passing month. 

Why the labour shortage is a problem 

It affects the economy, that’s the first thing we’ll say. Prices rise, businesses close, and panic sets in.  But for you – and that’s what we’re focused on here – there are some major drawbacks to a reduced pool of qualified workers. 

Having the pick of the bunch was a luxury you’ll have enjoyed over the years. You could sit down with a never-ending stream of potential employees, get to know them intimately, interview some others, and then after weighing up the pros and cons of each applicant, make a calculated decision based on what you’ve seen. It was hard because you had so many options – now it’s hard because there aren’t enough options. 

On top of that – and this is a crucial point – the added workload for existing employees is crippling. If staff numbers are low but your workload is the same, your team has to shoulder the responsibility and pick up the flack. That might be okay for a week or two, but in the long term, it leads to burnout, increased stress levels and reduced productivity. You suffer, your business suffers, your staff suffer and ultimately, your customers suffer.

Your people are the most important aspect of the business, and if they’re not performing at the level they need to (and want to!) then your customers will feel the knock-on effects of that. 

How are you able to serve your customers at the right level if you don’t have enough of the right staff onboard? That’s where temporary hiring comes in, so let’s take a look at that now. 

Benefits of temporary hiring 

As more and more of the workforce say “thanks but no thanks” to permanent roles, businesses across the UK have had to shift focus and drum up new ways of luring in top talent. Temporary hiring is the best way we know how to do it, so let’s look at what you stand to gain from going down temp route: 

The burden is lifted: You’re busy with a million and one different things, and recruitment takes time. By handing the reins over to a recruitment agency, you’re free to focus on the needle movers in your business whilst they focus on bringing in the right people. 

Test-drive: The one major problem with permanent staff is you never really know how they’ll perform until you’ve seen them carry out their roles. Hiring on a temporary basis gives you the chance to assess the employee, see if they gel with you and you with them, and get a better understanding of what they bring to the table. If it’s a good fit for both, you can talk about bringing them on board permanently. Try before you buy!

Breathe new life into the business: Temporary hiring gives you the chance to get a different perspective on how you do things. Temps will come in with fresh ideas, different viewpoints and skill sets, and you can use those skills and experience to boost productivity and bolster results. 

Reduced short-term costs: Covid has left most businesses fighting for their lives. Customers aren’t spending, the cost of supplies has skyrocketed and advertising costs are through the roof. A temp agency takes care of the recruitment process on your behalf, giving you the welcome opportunity to slash short-term costs.

Final thoughts 

Great employees haven’t disappeared – we just need to be more savvy when it comes to bringing them on board.  We’ve looked at the benefits of temporary hiring during the labour shortage, and hopefully, it’s shown you that attracting high-level manpower is still possible. If it’s something you want to explore further, then our Birmingham recruitment agency is the place for you. Get in touch with us here – we’re looking forward to helping you secure your next wave of top-tier talent.