3 Ways Contract Staffing is Flexible for Workers

Several months ago in The Pinnacle Newsletter Blog, we looked at “5 Misconceptions Candidates Have About Contracting.” This week, we’re going to address how flexible contract staffing is for candidates.

It’s no secret that the American workforce is changing.  More households have two working parents now than at any other time in history.  Both mothers AND fathers need time off to care for sick children or attend their school events.  And many of them are also taking care of their own elderly parents.

Meanwhile, Millennials who grew up with cell phones and laptops are entering the workforce, challenging the traditional model that forces them to be “chained to a desk” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and older workers are reluctant or unable to retire, but don’t want to work full time.

All of these factors lead to one conclusion: American workers want, and in many ways NEED, flexibility.

So if you could provide candidates with the flexibility they desire, you would have a better chance of attracting the highest quality candidates, right?  Well, the good news is that there’s a whole crop of flexible work arrangements out there in the form of contract assignments.

Below are three ways that contract staffing provides flexibility for workers:

1. Flexible: convenient hours

Because contract assignments are typically project-based, the company usually allows a flexible daily work schedule, as long as the work gets done on a timely basis.

2. Flexible: not tied to an office

Again, as long as the work gets done, many companies don’t care if the contractor is in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  If a candidate has the tools they need at home, they can often work between their home and office.

3. Flexible: vacation time

When a candidate is hired direct, they may get one week of vacation, two tops, at least while they’re a new employee.  Even if they’re willing to take the time unpaid, they often are not allowed.  With contracting, if they want to take an extended vacation or take the summer off to be with their children, they simply don’t take an assignment during that time.

By the way, contract staffing provides flexibility for your clients, too, allowing them to easily add or reduce staff when needed.  So contract staffing truly is a win-win-win for you, your candidates, and your clients!