SINGAPORE: Two-thirds of employers in Singapore have said they hire contract staff — with 20 per cent expecting to employ more over the next 12 months, according to a survey by recruiting company Hays.
The survey of 2,600 employers found that 43 per cent of them hire temporary and contract staff for special projects or workloads, while a further 24 per cent employ them on a regular ongoing basis.
Regional director of Hays in Singapore & Malaysia Chris Mead said: “Candidates are gaining more confidence and acceptance of temporary roles, aided no doubt by the higher compensation package they offer.
“This is a fortunate trend since more employers are turning to a flexible staffing approach and almost one quarter now use temporary and contract staff on a regular basis.
“Temporary assignments are no longer seen as simply a quick fix, but a long-term staffing solution that also offers headcount flexibility.”
Hays said that both employers and contract staff stand to benefit from temporary employment.
For the employers, it offers flexibility since a temporary worker can fill both long- and short-term needs, and be engaged and released at short notice.
Companies can engage temporary staff who have specific expertise, or to support a permanent workforce during workload peaks.
Temporary assignments reduce an employer’s administrative burden since they are paid by an agency and are fully interviewed and reference-checked.
For the staff, temporary assignments offer exposure to varied workloads, systems and industries, allowing them to expand their skills base, make new contacts and improve their work-life balance through the flexibility of the working arrangements.
source: channelnewsasia.com
