What are the Advantages (and Disadvantages) of Temporary Employment?

If you are out of work and unsure about what your next step should be, or are struggling to find a new position to match your experience, temporary work can offer you an alternative to a permanent position.

What is the Definition of Temporary work?

Different industries or sectors refer to temporary work in different ways. In some sectors such as IT or Creative industries, you may hear it referred to as ‘freelancing'. This is usually where the person may work on a self-employed basis.  In general terms, a temporary employee is someone who works for a company on a non-fixed term basis, which may be via a Recruitment company.  The employee's salary is usually calculated on an hourly or daily rate which may be paid via the recruitment company. No notice period is required to terminate temporary employment by either party unless it has been agreed prior to the assignment.

 

Why do Organisations need Temporary staff?

Companies employ people on a temporary basis for many reasons, which may include;

• Cover for holidays

• Maternity leave or long-term sickness cover

• During particularly busy periods of the year

• To analyse an employee's performance before a permanent position is offered

• Assistance with projects or backlog in work

 

The Advantages of Temporary work

Temporary work offers many benefits including;

• Flexibility and freedom - depending on ‘where you are at’ in your employment career, temporary employment can be an advantage to anyone not wanting to commit to a long-term position or responsibility.

• Maintain income and skills – this can be particularly helpful if you are in between permanent positions.  New skills may also be developed which can add confidence for gaining a new permanent role.

• Work in different industry sectors – if you are unsure about what you want from your career, temporary work can expose you to different industries and different management styles, allowing you to make the right decision for your future.

• Can pay you more - sometimes temporary workers can be paid more than the company’s permanent staff.  This is often the case with teaching, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and consultancy work, as the cost of the supply is generally based on the requirement, necessity and urgency of the demand.

• Potential to gain a permanent position – even if the temporary role doesn’t have the opportunity of becoming permanent from the outset, this can often change.  A temporary role allows you to get a foot in the door to prove yourself.

• More benefits and rights – The Agency Worker Regulations were introduced in 2011, with the intention of giving temporary staff more rights.  After 12 weeks of working in one particular business, a worker will receive similar pay and working conditions to that of permanent staff carrying out the same job.

 

The Disadvantages of Temporary work

Whatever your reasons for entering temporary employment there are certain issues to consider;

• Limited security – with no notice required by either party to terminate the employment it can be unsettling if you have no idea when you will be finished.  To prevent this, talk to your Line manager or Recruitment Consultant to ask if a small notice period can be offered. Rememebr, you must honour this too otherwise references may be affected.

• Decrease in temporary work – in recent years, it is not so easy to be able to walk straight from one temporary job to another.  As the candidate pool has grown larger, the short-listing criteria to attain a temporary job has also increased.  Ensure you understand how you can secure job seekers allowance if you are in between temporary positions.

• Potential of feeling like an outsider– sometimes you get very little guidance and attention in terms of learning the new job, so initiative and confidence to ask questions will be required.  If you are in temporary employment that is only expected to last for a few days or weeks, permanent staff may not communicate too much – because you will be gone soon anyway! This may make you feel insecure and unimportant – try not to take it to heart and keep in mind that you will be developing your skills.

• Not good for the mortgage – it is a fact that Banks like people to be in permanent jobs as it gives confidence that you will be able to pay your mortgage monthly and on time.

 

Overall, temporary work can be highly beneficial and can prevent you from having gaps in your CV.  It gives Employers a good sense of your work ethic and can help you to secure a permanent role.  It is however, highly advisable for you to assess your personal circumstances before making a decision.

 

 

If you would like to ask any questions about working on a temporary basis or if you would like to enquire about looking for temporary work, please call us on 0844 5044666.