Staffing Options: Short-Term Hire, Contract-to-Hire, and Direct Hire

When you need to fill a position at your company, it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for. Of course, this applies to the type of employee you’re looking for—skill set, work ethic, etc.—but it also applies to the type of employment offer you want to extend.

While you might think that all hires are essentially the same, the fact is, that there are several different staffing options available to employers that you might want to consider when looking to fill a position. Read on for a quick overview of your options when it comes to staffing.

Direct hire

This is the most common type of hire and is often what people think of when they think of hiring someone. More often than not, a direct hire results in a full-time employee joining a company for long-term employment. When a direct hire is made, the employee is added to the company’s payroll, is subject to company policies, and is eligible for full-time employee benefits.

Because of the long-term commitment involved, direct hires are often done thoughtfully and carefully. It may take time for an employer to make a direct hire. An experienced staffing agency can help move the process along by matching qualified candidates with open positions, narrowing a company’s pool of potential hires.

Short-term hire

A short-term hire is one that is not expected to last beyond a certain period of time. These hires can be made to help companies manage those times when they are short-staffed (such as when an employee is on extended leave), or when work volume is unusually high. They may be full-time or part-time positions.  

Short-term hires can be useful for employers and employees alike. Employers get the benefit of the extra help without the long-term commitment, and employees are provided with good work that helps build their experience and resume while keeping the flexibility of impermanent employment.

Because the need for short-term hires often rises quickly, it’s beneficial for companies to use a staffing agency when making this type of hire. A staffing agency will be able to find a qualified candidate quickly, which can be invaluable when a business is in a pinch.

Contract-to-hire

Contract-to-hire offers the best of both the above options. A contract-to-hire agreement essentially allows for temporary employment for a set period of time, after which the employee will either be hired by the company full-time or let go to find a better fit. 

A contract-to-hire arrangement gives both employer and employee a chance to test the fit (professional and cultural) of the employee within the workplace, giving both parties an “out” if either is unhappy with the other. 

As beneficial as they can be, contract-to-hire positions can be difficult to fill. An employee may not know if the employer is serious about the potential for a long-term hire, and an employer might have a hard time finding a candidate who is willing to take on this type of work. Because of this, using a staffing agency to fill a contract-to-hire position is in the best interest of everyone involved.

A full-time hire is not your only option if you think you’re ready to grow your staff. Consider these other options first and decide what your company truly needs. Feel free to contact EDI Staffing at 508-802-4512 if you have any questions or concerns about the staffing process. We’re here to help!