Businesses are Choosing Flexible Staffing in 2022, Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons

The global and national events of the last couple of years have resulted in one of the most challenging and uncertain business climates for employers in modern history. The number of employees who have been unable to work or have had to quit their jobs is unprecedented, and this has caused significant disruption to businesses across all sectors. In response to the current economic uncertainty and related changing business needs, many employers are turning to flexible staffing options such as staffing agencies and retained searches. 

Why? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of working with staffing companies and the use of flexible staffing. 

Pro: Flexible staffing can quickly scale a labor force up or down

Flexible staffing is not just for startups. It’s also a good solution for businesses that need to scale up or down quickly. For example, suppose your company is experiencing a surge in sales, and you need to hire more people. In that case, flexible staffing can help you do so quickly without having to make long-term commitments on permanent positions.

Pro: High-level talent is accessible when needed.

When you’re seeking high-level talent, it can be difficult to pinpoint the right person for your business. You have to consider factors like cost and availability. Using a staffing agency, however, you can hire talented individuals ready to work when needed. This means that you won’t have to spend time sourcing candidates or interviewing them yourself—the agency will do that for you.

Pro: Access to short-term coverage when needed.

With flexible staffing, companies can quickly and easily fill short-term needs without losing focus on their core business functions. For example, when an employee leaves for an extended period due to family health issues or personal reasons (such as maternity leave), another contributor can step in seamlessly without disrupting operations during their absence. With this type of flexibility at the forefront of your business strategy, employees won’t feel pressured into committing all of their energy toward one project at once. Instead, they will feel free enough within this structure so as not only to dedicate themselves more comprehensively but also stay engaged with what they’re doing throughout each day/week/month, etcetera!

Pro: Flexible staffing can improve employee satisfaction and the morale of existing employees.

The benefits of flexible staffing don’t stop at lower turnover rates. Increased employee satisfaction and morale can result in several other positive business outcomes. For example, when employees feel valued and essential, they are more likely to take more initiative and contribute ideas that improve the company’s operations or increase its profitability.

Flexible staffing can also help reduce employee turnover, a common issue for many small businesses. According to a 2018 survey by Right Management Group, 75 percent of small business owners say they struggle with employee retention (compared to only 34 percent who report struggling with hiring). Reducing employee turnover can save money on finding replacements and retraining new hires while also improving productivity by allowing each person on your staff to focus on their strengths rather than having to cover roles outside their specialty area.

Con: The Cost of Staffing Companies

Agency fees can come with a bit of a sticker shock, but it’s essential to consider the cost of a bad hire and potential re-hire vs. the cost of utilizing a Specialist’s expertise.  

Many companies fear a lack of control regarding hiring or that the recruitment team they’ve retained won’t select candidates based on their needs and culture. Most agencies however, take great care in listening to clients’ needs and adjusting their search accordingly. It’s all about building trust in the recruiters who’ve proven that your needs and requirements are of the utmost importance to them.

Con: High turnover can be an issue with flexible workers who may not be as invested in the company’s success.

This concern needs to be addressed, but there are ways to mitigate it. First, you should ensure your hiring process is thorough and detailed. When interviewing candidates for any position (flexible or not), make sure you ask about their past work experience and what makes them want to join your company. In addition, ask questions about their career goals—whether they have any plans to move on from this role down the road—and whether they would consider themselves loyal employees if given a chance. If you notice during this process that someone seems uninterested in answering your questions or doesn’t seem like they want the job, take note and move on quickly so you don’t waste anyone’s time!

The number of employees who have been unable to work or have had to quit their jobs unprecedented, and this has caused significant disruption to businesses across all sectors.

Businesses are employing flex staffing solutions to gain agility in a volatile market

Flexible staffing is not a new concept. It's a way to scale up or down as needed and improve employee satisfaction, morale, and retention. In addition to being a more effective organization model, it can also provide access to high-level talent that might otherwise be unavailable in your local market.

Conclusion

Over the next few years, we expect to see more businesses adopting flexible staffing solutions as they continue to grapple with the realities of today’s uncertain economic climate. For those that do, they can look forward to increased agility, profitability and improved employee retention rates. These benefits will be made possible by leveraging a workforce that is more flexible and responsive than ever before in order to meet changing business needs at any given time