How exactly does temporary work work? What benefits does it offer to companies and employees—and what challenges are involved?
In this guide, we explain temporary work in simple, easy-to-understand terms and highlight what companies and job seekers should keep in mind.
What is temporary work?
In temporary work, also known as temporary staffing, an employee is hired by a staffing agency and assigned to a client company.
The employee has an employment contract with the staffing agency. However, during his assignment, he works at the client company and performs the agreed-upon tasks there.
To put it simply:
Staffing agency → hires employees → employees work at the client company
Among other things, the staffing agency handles the hiring and onboarding of employees. In return, the client company receives staffing support, which allows it to respond more flexibly to its staffing needs.
The term "temporary work " is also frequently used. In professional contexts, however, the terms " temporary employment " and "labor leasing " are most commonly used.
How does temporary staffing work?
The temporary staffing process can generally be broken down into several steps.
1. The company has staffing needs
A company may need additional employees, for example, due to a short-term increase in order volume, staff absences, or a production peak.
2. The staffing agency searches for suitable employees
The staffing agency analyzes the company's requirements and searches for suitable candidates. Factors such as qualifications, work experience, working hours, and willingness to work shifts may play a role in this process.
3. The employee is employed by the staffing agency
The employee enters into an employment contract with the staffing agency.
4. The employee works at the client company
The employee is assigned to the agreed-upon host company, where he or she performs the designated tasks.
5. The staffing agency remains the point of contact
Even during the assignment, the staffing agency remains the point of contact for both the employee and the client company.
A good staffing agency therefore not only provides organizational support for the assignment but is also available to answer questions or address any issues that may arise.
SCHUK supports companies with temporary staffing and provides personalized support to employees throughout their assignments.
What are the benefits of temporary employment for companies?
For companies, temporary staffing can be a flexible way to respond to varying personnel needs. Especially in the case of short-term staff shortages or fluctuating workloads, temporary staffing can be a useful complement to a company’s own recruiting efforts.
1. Respond flexibly to staffing needs
Not every staffing need can be planned for the long term.
Production peaks, seasonal fluctuations, additional orders, or last-minute absences can lead to companies needing additional staff on short notice.
Temporary staffing allows companies to adjust their workforce more flexibly to actual needs.
2. Reduce Recruiting Efforts
The search for suitable employees can take up a lot of time and internal resources.
Posting job openings, reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and selecting suitable candidates—all of these tasks can be supported by working with a staffing agency.
For example, SCHUK handles the search for and selection of suitable employees and supports companies throughout the entire assignment.
3. Overcoming Staffing Shortages
If a position remains unfilled for even a short time, it can quickly become a problem for a company.
Temporary staffing can help bridge staffing shortages while a long-term solution is being sought.
This can be relevant, for example, in the event of illness, vacation, staff changes, or an unexpectedly high workload.
4. Handling Order Peaks
Temporary staffing can be particularly appealing for companies with fluctuating workloads.
When there is a sudden surge in orders, additional employees often need to be available on short notice. Once the peak in orders has passed, staffing needs may decrease again.
Temporary staffing allows companies to respond more flexibly to such changes.
5. Support in Addressing Shortages of Skilled Workers and Staff
Many companies face the challenge of filling open positions on a long-term basis.
A staffing agency can help find suitable candidates and provide additional staffing capacity on short notice.
As a result, temporary work can serve as a complement to long-term recruiting.
6. Getting to Know Employees in Their Day-to-Day Work
A temporary assignment can also give companies the opportunity to get to know an employee in a real-world work setting.
If the collaboration works well both professionally and personally, it can, under certain conditions, lead to a long-term partnership or an acquisition.
However, a permanent position is not automatically part of every temporary assignment.
What are the benefits of temporary work for employees?
Temporary work can also offer various opportunities for employees, especially for people who are looking for a job quickly or want to gain new professional experience.
1. A Quick Entry into the Job Market
People who are looking for a job often want to get back on track in their careers as quickly as possible.
A position through a staffing agency can provide a quick way to get started, provided that a suitable position is available and the applicant meets the job requirements.
2. Gain work experience
Temporary work can be a good way to gain practical experience.
This may be of interest, for example, to those just starting their careers, people changing careers, or employees who want to reorient their careers.
New tasks and work processes can help you further develop your knowledge and skills.
3. Get to know different companies
Depending on the assignment, employees can gain exposure to various companies and fields of work.
This offers the opportunity to experience different work environments and discover which jobs and industries align with your own expectations.
4. Discover New Career Opportunities
Not every job seeker knows right from the start which job is the right one for the long term.
A placement through a staffing agency can help you explore new career fields and gain professional experience.
5. Opportunity for long-term employment
Temporary work does not necessarily have to remain a short-term solution.
Depending on the assignment and the company, this may lead to long-term employment or a future job offer.
Anyone hoping for a permanent position should ask during the job interview whether there is such a possibility for that particular role.
6. Personalized Support
Especially when starting a new job, questions may arise about the work location, work hours, responsibilities, or organizational procedures.
A personal contact at the staffing agency can support employees in this process and assist them throughout their assignment.
According to SCHUK, the company places a high priority on providing personalized and individualized support to employees and companies.
Are there any downsides or challenges associated with temporary work?
Temporary work can offer many advantages, but it is not equally suitable for every situation. In addition to the opportunities, there are also a few factors that employees and companies should take into account.
Changing work locations or work environments
Depending on the assignment, employees may have the opportunity to become familiar with different companies or areas of work.
For some people, this variety is an advantage. Others prefer a permanent, fixed job.
For this reason, the assignment location, duties, and work hours should be discussed as clearly as possible before the assignment begins.
Adjusting to New Work Procedures
When starting a new assignment, employees must first familiarize themselves with new processes, teams, and tasks.
This can be a challenge at first. At the same time, the experience offers an opportunity to gain new knowledge and advance your career.
A takeover is not automatically guaranteed
It may be possible for the client company to hire the employee at a later date, but this is not guaranteed in every case.
Anyone seeking a permanent position in the long term should therefore speak openly with the staffing agency about whether there is an option for permanent employment.
Companies face additional costs
For companies, working with a staffing agency involves costs.
This is not just about the compensation for the employee assigned to the job, but also about the services provided by the staffing agency, such as recruiting, support, and administrative tasks.
Whether temporary employment is economically viable therefore depends on individual staffing needs and the specific situation.
Who is temporary work suitable for?
Temporary work can be a good option in a variety of situations.
Temporary Work for Employees
A job through a staffing agency may be of interest, for example, to:
- Entry-level professionals
- Career changers
- People Looking for Jobs
- Employees who want to gain work experience
- Professionals who want to learn about new companies
- People looking for long-term employment with the option of becoming a permanent employee
The key factor is always whether the requirements of the position in question match the applicant's qualifications and expectations.
Temporary Staffing for Businesses
For companies, temporary staffing can be a useful option, for example, in the following situations:
- short-term staffing needs
- Peak Order Volumes
- seasonal fluctuations
- staff absences
- Production Peaks
- Shortage of Skilled Workers and Staff
- additional staffing needs in shift work
- to reduce the burden on internal recruiting
Temporary work can be particularly appealing to companies whose staffing needs fluctuate regularly.
Temporary Work in the Food Industry
The food industry places special demands on workforce planning.
Production schedules, shift systems, seasonal fluctuations, and, in some cases, high staffing needs can require companies to respond flexibly to their staffing requirements.
SCHUK has extensive experience in the food industry and helps companies find the right employees.
Especially when staffing needs are short-term or fluctuating, temporary staffing can be a way to provide additional workers for production.
What should employees keep in mind when working as temporary workers?
Anyone interested in a position through a staffing agency should find out exactly what the terms and conditions are before starting the assignment.
Among other things, the following are important:
- What kind of work is being done?
- Where is the incident location?
- What are the working hours?
- Is shift work required?
- How long is the mission scheduled to last?
- What qualifications are required?
- Is there a possibility of a takeover?
- Who should I contact if I have any questions?
A reputable staffing agency should communicate these points transparently and remain available as a point of contact throughout the assignment.
Conclusion: Is temporary work a good solution?
Temporary work can be a good solution if it meets the specific needs.
For companies , temporary staffing primarily offers flexibility in workforce planning, support with recruitment, and the ability to bridge short-term staffing shortages.
For workers, temporary work can provide a quick entry into the job market, additional professional experience, and new career opportunities.
At the same time, both sides should carefully review the terms and conditions of each assignment. Temporary work is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every situation, but it can be a valuable option when staff are needed on short notice or with flexibility.
SCHUK Consulting supports companies with temporary staffing and recruitment services and provides personalized support to employees during their assignments. Among other areas, the company places a special emphasis on the food industry and international recruiting.
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