Frontline Source Group Temporary and Direct Hire Staffing - What's Included - Agency Selection

How can a staffing company help your business? Staffing companies provide a wide range of human resources solutions. Temporary help, direct hire, "temp to hire", contract staff, outsourcing, training, human resources consulting and professional employer organization arrangements combine to offer businesses the skills and people necessary to keep ahead. Studies show that 90 percent of U.S. companies use staffing services.

Benefits to Business

As new technology drives the need for highly skilled employees, business is turning to staffing companies for help in locating and attracting high-quality people. Business and industry are under increased pressures to:

• Locate the right employees to cope with wildly fluctuating workloads
• Match unique skills to new product and service opportunities
• Find solutions to the increasing regulatory complexities of managing a modern workforce

As employers, staffing companies are responsible for their employees' wages, benefits and all legally required payroll deductions, including unemployment and workers' compensation insurance.

How To Buy Staffing Services

Before you make a decision... Ask a lot of questions!

All staffing companies are not alike—they vary widely in performance, cost and efficiency. Choosing the right one can ensure that your company enjoys uninterrupted productivity during workload peaks, vacations, illnesses, family leave and permanent employee turnover.

What type of staffing help do you need?

What kind of experience and skills are you looking for in an employee? How long will you need additional staff? Select several firms that seem to meet your needs.

How was your first interaction with the companies you contacted?

Check out their Web sites—they should be informative, up-to-date and easy to use. Telephone or email the companies, and you'll get your first clue as to their business style. If you're treated brusquely or do not receive a response, it's not a good sign. Remember, the staffing firm is the employer. Their management practices greatly affect the quality of the employees who come into your offices. They recruit, hire and train their staff, so make sure you are dealing with a professional, capable organization.

Is the company a member of the American Staffing Association?

Membership demonstrates that the company has agreed to conform to the highest ethical standards in the industry and is up-to-date on all the latest developments and trends.

Will the company do a presentation for you and your management team?

After speaking with representatives from three or four firms that you feel may meet your needs, ask for presentations. This is your chance to gain as much information as possible about the company, including answers to many of the questions posed here.

How well run is the organization?

This will reflect the quality of help you receive. Ask how long the company has been in business in your area. Call references. Ask how satisfied they were with the employees at the staffing company as well as with the workers assigned to their organization.

How does the company recruit and retain its qualified and reliable workforce?

You may be able to judge the quality of a company's workforce by the type of benefits package it offers to workers. A more complete benefits package often attracts a better quality worker. Ask to see recruitment ads, and check the classified ads running in your local newspaper. Also, ask if the firm's employees usually complete assignments and what the turnover rate is.

Does the company fully understand your needs?

You should get the most appropriate person for the position. Also, make sure the company has an extensive database of available workers. This will help you get the right person for the job in a timely manner. If you're not sure how many staff are required for a particular job, what action will the company take to ensure that you don't under buy or overbuy? Can you rely on the company to fill last-minute emergencies? Is there an extra fee? What about after-hours emergencies? Find out how to reach the company after regular business hours.

What about insurance?

Does the company carry workers' compensation for its employees? Find out the policy limits.

The critical element in your working relationship is the quality of staffing help you receive. Reliance on a reputable and capable staffing company can be an important management tool for your business. A little investigation and observation beforehand can save you time and money and result in a long-lasting business relationship.