Bringing a temporary employee on board for a short term project or to fill in at the office is a complex process. Too often managers don’t take it seriously enough. To successfully onboard a temporary employee there are a few steps to keep in mind. Everything you can do to make your temp’s experience easier and more pleasant on the job will give them the tools they need to succeed. Here are 5 steps you can take.
- Their workspace and equipment. All too often temps have arrived on the job to have to wait for a desk and a computer. This can influence their perception of the company and get their assignment off on the wrong foot. Right when you schedule the employee get the balls rolling to ensure they have everything they need to start on their first day. Make sure it is all up and running the day before they arrive.
- Assign an onsite mentor. Temps frequently complain about feeling isolated in a company where teams are already established. Also, your current employees may feel threatened by the arrival of a temp. Assigning a mentor to the temp gives everyone an opportunity to influence the success of the project. Assure your team that the temp is there to help. Choose a trusted employee to show them around the office and answer questions.
- Provide access to information. While you may not want to give a temp access to every piece of proprietary information you need to allow them to access the parts that are important for their job. You also want them to feel invested in your business. Share your company culture and work ethic, communicate about the company, and give them all the tools they need to complete the project.
- Maintain contact with the service. Your recruiter or account manager is there to help the temp assignment go smoothly. Talk with them about the employee performance and how they are doing. Ask them for advice if you have any questions about the process and provide information that they can pass on to the temp prior to starting.
- Follow up with the employee. Finally, the most important thing you can do is communicate with the temp employee. Don’t save all the feedback for the recruiter. Open direct lines of communication with the temp. Ask them how they are doing, if there is anything they need, and allow yourself to really listen to what they have to say without dismissing them.
Do you need temp help for an upcoming project? Contact ProSource Staffing, Deer Park Employment Agency, to learn more!