The monthly unemployment rates by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics might be misleading, according to Henry Jia of The Staffing Stream. He believes unemployment levels are falling because many people have stopped looking for work. However, he adds this may ultimately be a boon for the temporary staffing industry. The additional load of workers who are dropping out of the workforce because they are retiring or no longer looking for a full-time job will find contract labor a good alternative to the traditional market. These workers will be highly skilled and experienced because they are baby boomers with years of work behind them, according to the article.
Although hiring contract workers through an agency can be a great help to a company, Corporate Counsel recently created a list of recommendations for making sure companies get the most out of their new staffers. Employers should create lists that include minimum qualifications for the job they want a temp for, along with clauses such as non-disclosure agreements. Also companies must be sure to know who is employing their temp workers. Typically, the employer of record is the staffing agency, which means it is the agency's responsibility to file the usual tax and insurance paperwork.