Temping vs benefits: Is it such a tough choice?

I’ve recently moved into the exciting world of providing Temps after a few years’ break & wow – has it changed. Not only because the Agency Workers Regulations that were introduced in October 2011 gives agency workers (temps) entitlement to the same basic employment & working conditions as if they’d been recruited directly. It’s also because I’ve noted that this ‘recession’ is scaring good, strong candidates away from leaving their ‘benefits’ to sign off & work. It was always thus, but its very much more pronounced now. And it’s made me really think, question why & very precisely check if candidate are genuinely able & willing to work.

Once upon a time in the world of the High Street circa 2000, Agencies were used to Consultants yelling about being let down in a booking because the candidate had decided it took too long to sign back on. It was all part & parcel. Those days seemed to disappear through the boom years & I guess a tiny bit of prejudice crept in: if they were signing on…what was wrong with them.

And now the old big, bad days of the ‘Dole Office Spectre’ are back & back with a vengeance. Good candidates lose jobs & they sign on. I get that. However I’m seeing that after a couple of months out of work, they seem reluctant to go through the ‘hassle’ of signing off – for even a week of temp work. Yes, I understand that we’ve all paid our ‘stamp’ & we’re due that benefit but the knocking these good, feisty candidates take from signing on is big & very affecting. It weighs heavily on their shoulders & they lose sight of the fact that working, with its early mornings, its commute, its camaraderie & its pay is a thing we humans all need. Even for a week or two. And you don’t get anything like that feeling when you decide its too much hassle & you retreat & refuse work.

I don’t want to get ‘political’ but surely the biggest argument of our time is how to reward people for working & to support them when they can’t & it seems broad brush strokes just do not work.

If you’re a candidate & you’re reading this, remember this absolute truth. Just one week of temping work can show a potential employer who never would have met you, your true colours.  It’s a way of provoking ideas / job creating / getting you in front of people, that wouldn’t have been thought of & employment can & does result.

 

Look at options when they come along & see the long view. It genuinely could be a career changing choice.

Fact is – no one ever got hired by sitting watching Jeremy Kyle.

I’m Roseanne Stockton & I successfully run Nu-Recruit Career Consultants – I place permanent & temporary candidates of the very best calibre into great local employers & jobs in Liverpool, Chester & Manchester. In a no-fuss, no nonsense way.

And I love what I do.

Call me if you think my experience will help you get the best candidate for your job! And please feel free comment on my Blog…..

2 responses to “Temping vs benefits: Is it such a tough choice?”

1. Amy says:

   February 1, 2012 at 3:34 pm

   Hi Roseanne,

   Very brave post! I do agree with everything that you say, in particular when you say that ‘no one ever got hired by sitting watching Jeremy Kyle.’

   Amy

   Reply
2. Jan says:

   October 16, 2012 at 2:41 pm

   I’ve only just read this.

   I am currently signing on after a period of not being able to work because of caring. I’ve just done a 2 week temp job and signing on/off is easier now because of the “rapid reclaim” system. Although still a lot of form filling, posting wage slips etc. it is still worth temping financially and I really enjoyed it.

   Reply