More than 3 million temporary and contract employees work for America’s staffing companies during an average week. Knowing this, it’s understandable that the need for reliable staffing agencies continues to grow. And while there are countless benefits of working with a temp agency, it’s not always easy to determine when an agency’s reputation — or lack thereof — may not be a good match for your employment needs. Here are just a few red flags to be aware of that may indicate you’ve chosen an unreliable staffing agency.
Not Performing Diligent Background Checks
First, it’s essential for all temp agencies to perform their background checks using a series of stringent and consistent standards. It’s easier than you think for certain aspects to slip through the cracks, but you won’t have this experience if the agency is truly reliable.
Not Researching the Company/Position
About 46% of human resources professionals say retention is their greatest concern, followed by employee engagement at 36%. And considering the fact that the costs of employee turnover range from 30% to 150% of the employee’s salary, there’s no denying that all new employees present some financial liability. With this in mind, it’s critical for temp agencies to do research not only on the company they’re hiring for but the specifics of the position itself. You should be able to ask a staffing agency any particular question about the position and receive a correct answer. If they don’t have it immediately, they need to be willing to reach out to the employer and ask. If they seem uninterested or preoccupied in other parts of the process, consider it a red flag.
Overall Lack of Communication
Finally, it’s important to realize that your temp agency should be very open when it comes to communicating and keeping in touch with potential candidates. If you’re consistently receiving inaccurate info, being told to come in at the wrong times, or just feel like you aren’t hearing from the agency as much as you should be, it’s definitely a red flag. You should also keep hearing from the temp agency after you’ve been placed in the position — they shouldn’t just disappear entirely.
Ultimately, clear and concise communication on both ends is the best way to find the temp agency that’s a good match for you. For more information about the benefits of working with a temp agency, contact Burnett’s Staffing.