Turn Your Contingent Workers into Top Performers
Posted January 4th, 2017
Whether your business has predictable seasonal needs, is taking on a large project, or is experiencing an unexpected uptick in required output, sometimes bringing in contingent workers is the best course of action. However, it can be challenging to figure out exactly how to turn these temporary employees into top performers within your workplace since they are only there for a short time.
Luckily, there are techniques that can motivate those working on a contingent basis to reach their potential. Here are four tips to get you started.
-
Up the Incentive
Temporary staff don’t have the same feelings of loyalty as your permanent employees. That means extra effort is needed to increase engagement while they are working as members of your team. And you need to understand that works for your normal staff might not cut it here.
Often, contingent workers accept these positions to help build up some extra cash for a purpose. It could be to fill a gap caused by unexpected unemployment, fund holiday shopping, or ever cover expenses related to schooling. This means that benefits like increased experience or training might have little value to them if it doesn’t help them reach their goals.
The easiest way to figure out what may increase engagement is to simply ask. In some cases, performance bonuses might light a fire under your seasonal employees, while others might just appreciate a heartfelt thank you for a job well done.
-
Invoke the Company Mission
Depending on the nature of your business, it is possible the company mission will inspire your contingent workers to give the tasks everything they have. Many people enjoy supporting a cause they feel they can get behind, and understanding how their work factors in can provide a strong source of motivation. So, if your company has a goal that offers intrinsic value, considering making it a focus for their efforts. That way they can feel like they are truly making a difference, even if it is just for a short time.
-
Gamification is Your Friend
Gamification is making headway in a lot of workplaces, and it can be a perfect solution for motivating temporary employees. Consider setting challenges designed to inspire them to commit to the work fully. Let them see how their progress matches up to the others working in the same team, and instill a healthy level of competition.
At times, the simple novelty of experiencing gamification in practice can increase excitement about the activities, especially if they haven’t encountered it before. And they might be ideal for a trial run on a program you are considering implementing amongst your regular staff.
-
Discuss Permanent Opportunities
While not every contingent worker is looking for long-term employment, some of them are. If there are full-time positions available in your company, consider letting that fact be known. When a seasonal worker sees a contingent position as a tryout for permanent employment, they may be inclined to truly show everything they have to offer.
If you are looking to bring on contingent employees or are trying to find you’re an ideal candidate for a full-time position, the recruiting specialists at Bayside Solutions can help you find the employees you need. Contact us to see what our professional staff have to offer.
