A turbulent economy means a business may need a quality temporary employee fast. Thanks to digital apps and hiring platforms, businesses can now connect with skilled temporary workers in no time. These platforms simplify the hiring process, so it’s easier than ever to fill those crucial gaps in your workforce.

According to research, “59% of employers are facing difficulties filling vacancies. This figure is even higher for larger companies (over 1,000 employees), with 74% experiencing recruitment challenges.” 

Key Takeaways

1. Using digital platforms to hire temporary employees allows businesses to fill staffing gaps quickly.
2. Platforms like shiftNOW, Upwork, and TaskRabbit offer vetted candidates, instant payouts, and flexible options, making them ideal for finding reliable, on-demand talent.
3. With features like reviews, ratings, and work history, modern hiring tools reduce the risk and give you confidence when bringing new people on board.

How to Hire a Temporary Employee

When it comes to finding temporary or flexible staff, traditional hiring methods don’t work anymore. Businesses need to get creative to fill temporary staffing positions. 

Posting job ads, sifting through countless resumes, and conducting endless interviews are time-consuming and often inefficient.

In a competitive and uncertain hiring market, flexibility and speed are essential. That’s why more companies are turning to: 

• Staffing platforms 
• Freelance marketplaces
• On-demand hiring tools 

They streamline the process as these tools connect you with pre-vetted talent in hours, not weeks. So you can focus on keeping staffing operations smooth without sacrificing quality.

This blog will explain how to use tools to find temporary employees easily. It will also help you keep your business running smoothly with temporary staff.

What Are Temporary Employees?

A temporary employee is a worker hired for a specific period or project. They are often used in various industries, such as hospitality, retail, and events. In these locations, the staffing needs can fluctuate.

For example, a hotel, restaurant, or retailer might need extra seasonal workers during the holiday season. This time of year is often exactly when those sectors NEED more staff,; but because they don’t need them in January, it would be too expensive and not make any sense to hire them on a long-term basis. 

Contract workers help businesses stay flexible. They also help meet these demands without the commitment of a permanent hire.

A temporary hire can also step in during unexpected absences, such as medical leaves or sudden resignations. This minimizes disruption and ensures continuity in day-to-day operations. You might need short-term support, or perhaps you need niche expertise for a limited time. Temporary employees offer an adaptable and cost-effective staffing solution.

Why Hire Temporary Employees?

Many sectors benefit from hiring temporary employees. In hospitality, for example, there are peak seasons and special events. These can require temporary staffing solutions. 

Temporary employees can step in to handle the increased workload. This ensures smooth operations without overburdening the regular team.

Flexibility: A temp worker offers businesses flexibility. You can adjust your workforce size based on current needs.

Cost-Effectiveness: Hiring temporary workers allows businesses to save money. This includes money spent on benefits offered to full-time employees. You can allocate your budget more efficiently.

Expertise on Demand: A temporary worker can provide specialized expertise. And you won’t even need to offer a long-term commitment. 

Reduced Hiring Risks: Businesses can trial-run a temporary worker. This helps to determine whether they’re a fit before deciding to hire full-time. You’ll reduce the risk of turnover.

The Fastest Way to Hire Temporary Employees

When your business needs extra help, time is of the essence. Figuring out how to hire a temporary employee quickly can make all the difference in keeping things running smoothly.

Using apps and platforms designed for hiring temporary help is the best and most efficient way to find and hire employees quickly. These tools are built to connect businesses with temporary workers in a matter of minutes. With just a few clicks, you can post a job, review applicants, and make a hire.

Many of these platforms also feature advanced filters. These match candidates to your specific needs, such as location, availability, and experience. Some even offer same-day staffing or allow you to schedule shifts in advance. 

Notifications, in-app messaging, and built-in payment systems simplify the process even further. Whether you need someone for a few hours or a few weeks, these tools eliminate the guesswork and get the right people in place fast.

4 Benefits of Hiring Through On-Demand Hiring Apps 

Using apps and platforms to hire temporary employees offers several advantages. These make the process fast and efficient.

Easy Process: Hiring platforms simplify the process. It allows you to quickly post job listings, match with candidates, and review profiles in one place. Many even offer automated scheduling and built-in communication tools to reduce back-and-forth.

Reliable Quality: These platforms ensure high-quality hires by providing profile videos. They also offer ratings and reviews to help assess candidates' skills and reliability. Some platforms also perform background checks or skill assessments for added peace of mind.

Immediate Availability: Modern hiring platforms give you instant access to a pool of ready-to-work candidates. This helps with last-minute staffing needs. Whether you need someone today or next week, you’ll find options fast.

Flexible Choices: These tools let you filter and select candidates based on specific skills. You can also filter for experience and availability to fit your business needs. You can customize your search to ensure you get the right fit every time.

By using on-demand hiring apps and platforms, you can make the hiring process easier for everyone, including yourself. You can also ensure quality, find staff quickly, and have more control over your hiring decisions. This makes hiring temporary employees near you both fast and effective, helping your business run smoothly.

What to Look for in a Hiring Platform

When figuring out how to hire a temporary employee, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. Here are some features to look for to ensure you get the best experience:

‍ User-Friendly Interface: Choose a platform that is easy to navigate. That way, you can quickly post jobs, review applications, and communicate with candidates.

• Robust Vetting Process: Select platforms that thoroughly check candidates' backgrounds. They should also filter for skills and experience to ensure high-quality hires.
• Instant Payouts: Opt for platforms that offer instant payments to attract top talent and keep workers motivated.
• Comprehensive Reviews and Ratings: Use platforms with detailed ratings. They should also have reviews so you can assess worker performance and reliability before hiring.
• Flexible Payment Options: Ensure the platform supports multiple payment methods. These include direct deposit and credit cards for a smoother hiring process.

5 Top Platforms for Hiring Temporary Workers

Hiring temporary employees costs money, so you’ve got to make sure the costs are in line with your budget. Remember that the right platform can also help you manage costs effectively. The best tools combine speed, transparency, and flexibility. This allows you to scale your workforce without overextending your budget.

1. shiftNOW

shiftNOW is an excellent platform for hiring temporary workers. This is particularly true in the hospitality and service industries. It offers all the essential features like:

• A user-friendly interface
• A robust vetting process
• Instant payouts
• Comprehensive reviews
• Flexible payment options 
• Temp workers are vetted to ensure they have relevant experience
• Supports on-demand, seasonal, event, and full-time hiring
• Transparent, predictable, and affordable pricing options
•  Uses video profile hiring and the temp to hire approach to make sure that workers have relevant experience in the hospitality industry. 
• This ensures that hospitality businesses are hiring skilled temp staff every time.

‍The platform is especially helpful for filling shifts quickly and reducing staffing gaps with pre-screened talent.

Ready to get started? Explore shiftNOW today to post your first job. shifNOW has you covered when you need temporary staff.

Request a Demo

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2. Upwork

Upwork is a well-known platform for finding freelancers and temporary workers across a wide range of industries. These include tech, design, writing, and customer support. 

It offers robust search filters, hourly or fixed-price contracts, and a work diary for time tracking. The platform’s payment protection and rating system make it a trustworthy choice for businesses of all sizes.

3. TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is ideal for finding temporary workers for various tasks and projects. These include delivery, moving help, event setup, and general labor. 

The platform offers a straightforward process for posting jobs and reviewing candidates. Instant payouts, real-time availability, and localized matching make it perfect for quick-turnaround needs.

4. Indeed

Indeed is a popular job board that also caters to temporary employment. It provides a large pool of candidates and detailed profiles to help you find the right match. 

You can post jobs for free or boost visibility with sponsored listings. The platform’s easy-to-use interface and comprehensive reviews make the hiring process smooth and efficient.

5. Thumbtack

Thumbtack connects businesses with local professionals for various temporary jobs. This runs from home services to event staffing. It offers detailed profiles, reviews, and ratings to ensure you hire quality workers. 

The platform’s instant payout feature and flexible payment options are also beneficial for employers. Thumbtack is especially useful when you need specialized help on short notice in your local area.

Start Hiring with Digital Platforms

Say goodbye to the stress and hassle of traditional hiring methods—put those outdated practices in the trash. Digital platforms are the fastest way to hire temp employees. These tools help you find temporary workers quickly. They also allow you to hire permanent employees who can seamlessly integrate into your team.

The convenience and efficiency of these platforms make them the ideal choice. They’re especially great for any business looking to meet its staffing needs. You’ll get features like:

• Instant job postings
• Pre-vetted talent pools
• Built-in communication tools 

With these, you can streamline every part of the hiring process — from sourcing to onboarding.

Many platforms also offer analytics and tracking. These help you monitor performance and make smarter staffing decisions. You could be managing a last-minute shift or planning for seasonal demand. In any case, digital hiring tools give you the speed, control, and flexibility you need.

Ready to get started? Explore shiftNOW today to post your first job. shiftNOW has you covered when you need temporary staff.

Request a Demo

How to Hire a Temporary Employee Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What should I look for in a hiring platform for temporary employees?

Key features to look for include:

• A user-friendly interface
• A robust vetting process
• Instant payouts to attract quality workers
• Comprehensive reviews and ratings
• Flexible payment options

Which industries benefit the most from hiring temporary employees?

Industries like hospitality, retail, events, and gig-based services benefit the most. Businesses that experience seasonal demand fluctuations or need specialized skills for short-term projects can maximize efficiency with temporary hires.

Can I hire temporary employees near me using digital platforms?

It should be easy to hire temp and flexible staff near you. As long as there are people in your area looking for work, even if it’s only temporary, and they know about the platform your company is using, then they’ll see your job postings.

Many hiring platforms allow businesses to filter candidates based on location, availability, and skills. This makes it easy to find temporary employees in your area.

What is the difference between hiring temporary employees and full-time employees?

Temporary employees work for a specific period or project. This provides businesses with flexibility and cost savings. Full-time employees offer long-term stability and deeper integration into company culture. However, full-time staff do come with higher overhead costs.

How can I ensure the quality of temporary employees?

To ensure quality service is being delivered by your temp staff, use hiring platforms with verified reviews, ratings, and background checks. Conduct brief interviews, assess past work history, and provide clear job expectations upfront.

Do I need to pay taxes and social security for temp staff?

The answer to this question depends on whether the staff are employed through an agency. In which case, the agency is the “employer of record.” If that’s the case, then the agency is responsible for taxing, issuing a W-2 form to every temp worker, and paying the employer's share of FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) and FUTA (federal unemployment tax).

At present, shiftNOW does not act as an “employer of record” or agency for temp staff. 

If your company hires temp workers directly, then the relevant amount of tax needs to be put aside, and every temp worker needs to be issued a W-2 when it’s tax time. 

The other option is that temp workers are independent freelancers or contractors and, therefore, won’t need W-2’s. Instead, you’ll need to issue the relevant IRS 1099 form when it’s tax season, and they’ll be responsible for their own taxes. 

How do I make sure temp staff work and deliver services the same way as full-time staff?

One of the best ways to do this is by having clear and simple standard operating procedures (SOPs). Make it easy for permanent staff to train the temp ones in under an hour or less. This way, the first day/night the temp staff do is a learning curve, and future shifts are as easy for them to deliver high-quality work just like your full-time staff members. 

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