With rising costs affecting all areas of business and no clear answer as to when things will change, committing to adding to your permanent employee headcount can be a difficult decision to make. UK PLC has and always will rely on the flexibility and skills that a contingent workforce provides, understanding more about the benefits this may offer provides business leaders with greater confidence when addressing their skills needs in a cost-focused era.
It is true that many businesses desire the stability that a permanent workforce offers, however it can be costly and limiting to ignore the value of contractors to a business.
When there is short-term work to be done or expert skills are needed for a finite period, using a contractor can offer great advantages – Our top 10 benefits of hiring a contractor are below:
10 benefits of hiring a contractor:
1. Cost savings
The overheads for contractors are lower – there are no PAYE or National Insurance contributions to administer, no paid sickness, holiday leave, or pension either. Time and administrative burdens are subsequently reduced and there is no obligation to provide an induction or appraisal.
2. Budget certainty
Defined costs and time frame from the outset mean you have clarity on costs.
3. Freedom to move on
Uncertainty in political and economic conditions means you might not want to commit to taking on a permanent member of staff, with a contractor you have the ability to access the skills you need without the long-term commitment.
4. Flexibility
You specify the type, duration of working hours and scope that you need to get the job done. A contractor can help where you have seasonal peaks and troughs too.
5. Specialist skills on tap
You can use a contractor for one-off jobs or projects, to manage change, for fast turnaround or for jobs requiring specialist expertise (including skill-sets needed to plan and implement disruptive technologies).
6. Ease workload for permanent members
A gap in the workforce can add pressure to existing team members, using contractors enables your permanent staff to concentrate on the core business activities.
7. Need help now?
It’s usually much quicker to get a contractor onboard and working effectively even when you are looking for a large number of people.
8. Temporary cover
A permanent staff member out of the business due to sickness, sabbatical or maternity leave? A contractor is a great way of keeping the wheels turning in their absence.
9. Outside perspective
A fresh perspective from someone outside the business, who is happy to assess and report on things as they see it, without the complication of being connected to the company and not wanting to offend, has the ability to completely change a way a business operates for the better.
10. Try before you buy
Hiring a contractor also offers a fantastic opportunity to see whether someone could be a good fit for your company in the long-term. Like what you see? Why not offer a permanent contract instead?
How do I find a contractor for my business?
Many contractors that work within the manufacturing, engineering and technical sectors find out about roles through specialist contract recruitment companies that advertise specific roles such as Jonathan Lee Recruitment.
Should I use a specialist contract recruitment company?
Businesses will often choose to take on contractors via a reputable recruitment business (rather than direct) because they lack the time, resources and expertise (of contracting) to recruit effectively.
The legal framework surrounding contracting is also quite different to permanent. A reputable recruitment business will be ISO accredited and members of relevant professional bodies; for example, the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) and will have robust contractual documentation processes which clearly defines the relationships and responsibilities of all parties up and down the supply chain. They also operate a strict compliance audit process that protects all parties and meets the legal obligations and requirements of HMRC etc.
Many contractors also choose to work through trusted recruitment businesses in their industry because of their experience of working with contractors (often recommended by fellow contractors). These recruitment businesses offer value added support and advice as part of the service.
Contact us
If you would like to discuss how contracting could help your business, call 01384 446115 or email me.
Download Contract Recruitment brochure
To download our Contract Recruitment brochure click here.
Share this blog post
