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Coaching/developing employees: 7 steps for supervising temps
Managing temporary workers (temps) is a challenge. Temps, however, can increase flexibility in a workforce, provide for short-term coverage, simplify the hiring process, and even let an employer try out a worker it might later decide to hire. That's why it's important to make them feel like part of the team. Here are some tips for successfully working with temps.
7 steps for supervising temps
- Be clear. Provide the temp with a specific job description and clear expectations.
- Give them a chance. The temp may be an expert in the skills the job requires but will likely need time to adjust to the specific way things are done at your company.
- Keep them in the loop. Include temps in meetings and emails that directly relate to the projects they have been assigned.
- Make them feel like a part of the team. Invite them to the conference room for a piece of another team member’s birthday cake or to join your group for lunch.
- Take them seriously. Temps observe the best and worst in lots of workplaces. They may have valuable suggestions about how to improve yours.
- Remember the rules. Workplace health and safety rules, as well as laws concerning harassment and discrimination, apply to everyone in your workplace, including temps.
- Replace them (the last resort). If, after making a reasonable attempt to solve problems that come up with job performance or how the temp is fitting in, you have the right to ask the staffing agency for a different employee.