You’ve heard a lot of talk about using temporary employees or subcontractors to fill roles at your company. But many managers find it hard to imagine temps being dedicated to their job more than a full-time employee. How will using the gig economy actually benefit the organization?
Pros
Let’s dig into some of the benefits to your company for using the gig economy. If you’re thinking of implementing new software or starting and extending your communications network, consider a short-term employee to fill the holes in your staffing.
Pro #1: Less Expensive than Full-Time Employees
One of the top reasons to start using the gig economy is the cost. Many companies do not need to offer health insurance to this kind of worker, and your HR department probably won’t go through the full onboarding process. If you find the temp is a good match for the company and you have ongoing work for them, you can choose to hire full-time.
Pro #2: Short-term Employees for Short-term Projects
Maybe your company only needs a little help to implement a new program or service. If you hire a full-time employee, you’ll need to find work for them after the project ends, but that’s not the case when using the gig economy! When the project ends, the gig employee will go on to another project, and your full-time team will continue with their tasks.
Pro #3: Save on Education Costs
If a full-time employee wants to learn a new skill (or you want them to learn a new skill), they’ll probably come to you to provide the education cost. But in the gig economy, these freelancers or subcontractors invest in their own education to get the roles they’re looking for. You can find employees with the exact certifications or skills you’re looking for without paying for them to get the education.
Pro #4: Around-the-Clock Service
If you choose to hire from another time zone, you can begin to offer around-the-clock service to customers or your own staff. With a remote workforce, you could have someone maintaining your network or fixing those never-planned tech problems at all hours of the day.
Cons
We’re pretty confident that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to using the gig economy, but these are top concerns for employers looking to hire temporary or freelance employees.
Con #1: Legal Challenges
Some employers have tried to get around certain laws by listing people as self-employed when they are in fact full-time and deserving of those benefits. Some companies also mishandle paperwork and contracts for these gig workers.
To easily handle these concerns, consider using a hiring agency to guide you through the process instead. They’ll know exactly what paperwork you need and take care of the HR side of things for you.
Con #2: Always Looking for the Next Job
Since gig employees know they’re only working at this company for a short time, they may be looking for the next opportunity before your project is finished. Some employers have reported a freelancer moved on because of new interests or opportunities and then needed to be replaced.
This is another area that can be managed easily with a staffing agency. The employee knows they can get their next job through the agency and will be less likely to leave before the job is completed. As the employer, you would be able to find a replacement quickly from the agency’s pool of candidates.
Ready to participate in the gig economy?
If you’re looking for the best IT talent for your upcoming project, you’ve come to the right place. We’re your staffing experts – taking on the burden of sifting through resumes and certifications and finding great candidates for your company.
