Hiring temporary staff allows employers to fill short-term gaps in their workforce or meet sudden increases in demand without making a long-term commitment. When it comes to evaluating temporary staff, the short-term nature of these positions usually means a traditional employee performance review process is overlooked. Generally, there aren't standardized procedures in place like there would be for permanent employees, which can make assessing temporary employees more difficult. However, there are several advantages to implementing an evaluation process for your temporary staff.

Evaluating your temporary employees optimizes your workforce by ensuring effective and efficient progress. With proper evaluation, employees will know how to improve and where they're doing well.

If you need help figuring out where to start, you're in the right place! We'll explore ten simple steps you can take to effectively evaluate your temporary staff and ensure they meet your expectations to help keep your business operations running smoothly.

How to Evaluate Temporary Staff

1. Set clear expectations

   Before hiring any temporary staff, it's important to clearly define the job expectations. Make sure your job description is thorough with specific tasks and responsibilities. This will ensure that the professional knows exactly what is expected of them and can better meet your expectations.

2. Provide proper training

   Even if the professional is experienced in the industry, they may not be familiar with your processes and procedures. Although training doesn't necessarily need to be as in-depth as it would be for a permanent position, you want to set up your professionals for success. This can include a general orientation of your company, organizational policies, and specific training related to the tasks they will be performing.

3. Monitor their performance

   Monitoring professionals' performance ensures they meet expectations and complete tasks effectively. This can be done through regular check-ins, reviews of duties completed, and spot checks on their performance throughout the day. This will help identify any issues early on and allow for quick feedback.

4. Provide feedback

   Feedback is critical to help temporary staff improve their performance. Regularly provide feedback to let them know what they are doing well and where they can improve. Positive feedback can be a great motivator, and constructive feedback can help them adjust where needed.

5. Evaluate their performance

   Just like with permanent staff, it's essential to evaluate the performance of temporary staff. This can be done through regular check-ins or formal evaluation processes. Consider setting up a performance review at the end of their assignment to discuss their strengths and areas for improvement. This way, professionals will know how they can better themselves in the future.

6. Consider their fit for the organization

   While temporary staff may only be with your organization for a limited period of time, it's still essential to consider whether they are a good fit. This includes factors like their attitude, work ethic, and communication skills. While technical skills are important, it's also essential to consider how they fit within the team and the company culture. Then, if you want to hire them on another contract or even permanently, you already know how well they fit within your organization.

7. Evaluate their reliability

   Reliability is critical for any employee, but especially for temporary staff. Consider their attendance, punctuality, and ability to complete tasks on time. If they are consistently late or missing shifts, it may be necessary to consider a replacement.

8. Get feedback from permanent staff

   While you are monitoring the performance of your temporary staff, it's also essential to solicit feedback from your permanent employees. They may have valuable insights into the temporary staff's performance, particularly if they work closely together. This feedback can help you adjust and make sure the temporary employee meets expectations.

9. Document their progress

   Documenting tasks and progress is essential for evaluating their performance and ensuring projects are on schedule. Tracking their progress also helps you see how quickly they're finishing tasks. You can create detailed instructions and checklists or document completed jobs. This will help with any issues or questions about the duties completed.

10. Consider their potential for future employment

    Even if the temporary staff member is not currently looking for a permanent position, it's still essential to consider their potential for future employment. If they perform well and are a good fit for the organization, consider bringing them on permanently when the opportunity arises.

Evaluating temporary staff can be challenging, but it's an essential process that can help businesses improve hiring decisions and optimize their workforce. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can ensure that you accurately assess your temporary employees' skills, performance, and potential. Then, you can make informed decisions about extending their contracts or offering them permanent positions.

Looking to hire temporary professionals? Get started with AmbiMi today!