Executives Say Hiring Temps Can Deter Layoffs

September 18, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Thirty-five percent of executives surveyed say the most important benefit of using interim workers is to help avoid overstaffing, which could lead to layoffs.

The survey by Accountemps, a temporary staffing service, found that companies are employing temporary workers to prevent having to lay off permanent workers, and 23% of those executives surveyed said the ability to evaluate a prospective employee before making a final hiring decision was most valuable.

“Increasingly, organizations are realizing the value of using temporary assignments as a means of evaluating candidates for full time positions,” Max Messmer, chairman of the California-based staffing company, said in a press release. “This provides a low risk opportunity for managers to determine how an individual will perform on the job,” he added.

Additional results when Accountemps asked executives “What is the most important benefit of using temporary workers?” were:

  • 17% say it takes the burden off existing employees;
  • 16% say it helps avoid productivity losses;
  • 9% say they don’t know.

«