Full time job or a temp position....?

Question

What if you interview for a full time job at a large company and then they tell you that you will be getting your pay checks and benefits from a staffing agency every week...what does that mean? Is it in fact a temp or long term temp position instead of a full time job? can a company lie about this? i never heard of that and i think it's a bit strange, like why would you be getting paid from a staffing agency when all other employees are getting paid from the company? how to best handle this and not get stuck in a temp position?

Answer 1

Whoever cuts your check is who you're really working for... and they will be getting a cut of your money as part of their fee. If you feel uncomfortable with the arrangement, trust your feeling... there are plenty of employers out there who need help. I would look at it this way: If I'm not good enough to be YOUR employee and paid by YOU, I'll find another company that's a bit smarter (then walk out)!

Answer 2

I have heard of something similar regarding positions (FT with benefits, earning time off & holiday pay) which are needed for a department when the company is not sure whether those same services will be needed in the future. But I am not sure whether checks were generated from the company or a staffing agency. However, during the interview process, the structure was clearly stated that the position was being created for now and depending upon the outcome, if needed the position will continue in the future, and possibly change. In addition, the person was told that if the position is not continued, the person will be absorbed into the company and placed into another position, if they want to stay with the company.
Ask to find out how long will you have to be paid via a staffing company before you will be paid from the company? Will it be based on performance, if so after how many months? What type of production? Try to get something in writing if possible. Once you start working for the company you will find out if others were hired the same way. If the pay is ok, take the job and keep your ears open and keep looking for another job if you feel uneasy about it.
The company should be able to give a timetable if they are being up-front with you.
Best Wishes!

Answer 3

Two ways to look at this. On the negative side, it's unfortunate that so many companies are going this route. It takes them off the hook for many of the full time employee requirements. For example, your benefits will not be what the company offers but rather what the staffing company offers. And generally, they can decide at any time that they don't need you. At that point, they don't even need to inform you, they'll just let the staffing company do it. Why do they do this? You might say corporate greed. But also, so many companies have experienced the financial and emotional pain of having to lay off full time workers. This seems like such a great fix. Yeah, great for them. On the plus side, it does give you an opportunity to check them out as an employer. Anyone out there who has taken a job and discovered immediately that they made a mistake...well, it's a tough one to recover from. If you really want to work there, this arrangement will allow you to check them out and allow them to see how valuable you are. Many temporary or contract positions can turn into full time. My caution would be to investigate their normal practices around contract workers. Do they have a history of bringing people on board after they've 'proven' themselves, or does the contract relationship go on and on? Are the pay and benefits provided from the staffing company satisfactory? Only you can decide if this is a good decision for your short and long term career goals. Take the time to analyze what you want and what they have to offer. And good luck.

Answer 4

YOU should definitely ask them if this is a temp to permanent position or will you start off as a permanent employee from DAY ONE on !!
This is pretty strange. I used to work as a recruiter at a staffing company and we sent candidates to interview at companies with full knowledge that they were either going to be temp to perm, temp only or permanent effective immediately.
Ask them who will provide your benefits!!
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Why do you care how you are paid? They probably want to test you out to see if you are a good fit. Be careful when they say 90 days (for example), they mean 720 hours, not 3 months. There is a trend to hire temp to perm so that they try an employee out before hiring full time. Good luck!

Answer 6

Many companies will do this with a new employee. It allows them to try you out, and if you do well they may offer you a permanent job. If you don't, it's easier to get rid of you.