So, when your business faces a challenge or stepping-stone which you’ve deigned to solve by bringing aboard a new recruit, you have a couple of options. Namely, whether to hire someone on a temporary basis – to work for a little while until said challenge has been overcome – or, to hire a permanent staff member, with a view to a long-term career within.

First, let’s break down what each actually looks like:

A temporary member of staff will:

• Be hired for a fixed amount of time, which might range from 4 weeks to 12 months (as an example);
• Work on either a contract (whether one-time or rolling) or freelance basis;
• Fix a short-term need within your business;

A permanent employee will:

• Be hired on a full or part-time basis, but on a permanent contract;
• Require all associated company benefits and perks;
• Be brought on board with a view to a long-term path of development within your business.

Instead of the usual ‘pros and cons’, we’re going to talk about the amazing benefits either of these options provide, and guide you to answer the question: which is the best option for my business right now?

If you have a problem to be solved:

Temp vs Perm: A temp solves the problem here and now, with no requirement for future commitment

When your business faces an issue, challenge or period of development which requires certain skills – skills which won’t always be needed – hiring a temp or contractor can work beautifully. This might apply to managing seasonal uplifts in business, or economic challenges being faced; by hiring a temporary employee you’re able to solve the immediate problem, whilst both parties understand that when the term comes to an end, you’ll simply part ways as friends.

Temp vs Perm: A perm solves the ‘now’ problem – then looks for another

Hiring someone on a permanent basis now will ensure that your current needs are met, but also means that you’ve found someone who has the ability to look toward solving other problems, making other improvements, and committing to driving the business forward, period. You hired this person for a reason – there’s no reason that their skills won’t be useful across the business, whether in other roles or in developing their own.

If budget is a factor:

Temp vs Perm: Temps are cost effective with regards to sick pay, vacation and other benefits

However, potentially more costly on the daily. The hourly rate for a temporary or contract employee is often higher than that of a permanent, to offset the fact that you don’t have to provide them with the usual benefits like paid vacation; but, with that being said, if you have a strong handle on the amount and scope of work you’re going to give them over a set period of time, hiring a temp can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Temp vs Perm: With a perm employee, investments are made into the long-term future of the company

If, as we say, your people are your biggest asset, then that means that every penny invested into them is worth it. The training, benefits and ongoing support which surround hiring a permanent employee may on the face of it seem more costly, but that person is now a part of your business – it’s an internal investment. Work hard on your employee engagement strategy, provide them with a healthy, enjoyable and developmental place to work, and watch as they provide ongoing value to your business, hopefully over a number of years!

If company growth plays a part:

Temp vs Perm: Temps always have the option to go perm

You’ve hired someone on a temporary basis; turns out, they fit your business to a tee, get on well with the team and perform their job to an amazing level.

What’s stopping you from offering them a permanent job?

The beauty of hiring a temporary member of staff is that the door is always open to them becoming an asset and joining your business on a permanent basis. If you’re trying to grow and you happen across the right person, create that opportunity for them to have a legitimate career path within.

Temp vs Perm: You’ve found your newest perm employee – now work hard to keep them!

When you hire a permanent employee, it’s because you’ve found a match – not just in terms of the skills you need, but from a cultural and personality perspective, too. It follows then that, when hoping to grow your team long-term, hiring perm really solidifies that notion; employers should make what can sometimes be a lengthy recruitment process worth it and look forward to building a long lasting relationship with this individual.

The truth is, the benefits of each option are innumerable and far-reaching – it really comes down to what your business needs right now. For an impartial conversation about what that might be, and to take advantage of our many years of consulting experience within HR and staffing, get in touch with the Next Level Group team today.

Any views or opinions expressed within this blog do not necessarily reflect the official policy of  NLG. Any points made are for general information only, and none should be relied upon as a basis for making any business, legal or other decisions. Neither NLG nor the author can be held responsible for any reliance placed by you on any information or material within this article.

The three most common types of employment are temporary, temp-to-hire and permanent placement, and all three can be found across a wide range of industries, such as IT, construction, light industrial and more. Each presents its different ups and downs – read on to learn about the distinct differences between the three, and discover which one may be the best for you.

Temporary

Temporary jobs are becoming much more common in today’s job market: a reported 2.1 million Canadians worked temporary positions last year, and that number has been steadily rising for the past 20 years! Benefits to temporary work include flexibility, slightly higher pay and time off in between gigs, which are all highly sought-after perks, especially in labour-intensive industries such as construction.

The rise of temporary work has been very accommodating to a wide range of personal circumstances which may prevent a worker from being able to agree to a full-time contract. Temp jobs are also great for those looking to dip their toes into different industries or learn new skills with a low level of commitment – they can last anywhere from a one day to a few months.

Permanent

Often associated with security and consistency, permanent jobs are still the most popular employment choice for many people. Also known as ‘direct-hire’, the employee is no longer associated with the staffing agency once hired and is a direct employee of the company. Many permanent roles also come with the added incentive of benefits and perks, such as health insurance and paid time off.

Permanent roles may be a better option for job seekers later on in their career and have settled on what industry they want to work in. Permanent positions are also better for those who perhaps see greater value in benefits than salary, such as health insurance and a 401k. Temporary workers can sometimes have slightly higher pay, but are very rarely offered benefits.

Or, the job seeker may have arrived at their current permanent job through a temp-to-hire situation, outlined below.

Temp-to-Hire

An interesting combination of the two, temp-to-hire or temp-to-perm means just what it sounds like: a temporary employee making the transition into a permanent role. In this instance, a company will hire an employee for the duration of their contract, which is typically longer than a regular temporary position. When that contract runs out, the employer can then choose to offer them a permanent job.

The time spent as a temporary or contract employee acts as a kind of ‘test-run’ or extended probation period, allowing the employer to see how well the candidate fits into the role. While this is a great perk for employers, it is also an advantage for the employee. This kind of job structure allows you to see if you enjoy not only the type of work, but the company culture and your potential new coworkers and managers.

Everybody’s unique career path will look different – if you need a hand navigating yours, don’t hesitate to reach out today. Whether you are on the lookout for a permanent role or something more temporary, we have got you covered. Next Level Group specializes in industries like information technology, construction, engineering and more – click here to find out more!