|
While 60% of all "temps" are still clerical workers, the use of professional temps is one of the
fastest-growing areas in the temporary industry. These new temps include accountants, engineers, systems analysts--even nuclear plant designers.
By hiring temporary professionals, companies can save on costly benefits and can cut back their work force
with much less trauma if business starts to slide. Temps also make sense when a company is facing reorganization, changes in office automation,
or a new-product introduction.
Summa Four Inc., a manufacturer of telecommunications equipment in Manchester, N. H., has been using temporary
designers and engineers for years. "There are time windows though which we must enter a product, or we lose a significant amount of sales." says
David Prince, director of engineering. "That's why we use temps."
When U.S. Travel World, a Somerville, Mass., travel agency wanted to enter a new market, it hired a temporary
marketing pro, "[The temp] helped us with a marketing strategy and an ad campaign," says partner Nicholas Salerno. "It really boils down
to one-on-one service that -- on our budget -- we just wouldn't get from a regular ad agency."
Some companies even use temporary services as a source of people they may want to hire permanently. But as
temporary-services agencies become more sophisticated -- some offer technical training benefits and profit sharing -- fewer temps are willing to
abandon the flexibility for full-time jobs.
|
