Eu Workers agencies help clients meet short-term staffing demands. They recruit and hire workers, then place them on assignment at client companies based on their skill sets and availability. They handle payroll processing and tax withholding as well as worker’s compensation insurance, if required.

Most temp agencies require candidates to fill out an application and interview with a recruiter or staff member. They will ask questions about their strengths and weaknesses, past employment history and the reasons they left previous jobs. Depending on the agency, some may conduct background checks and drug tests as well.

Temporary Workers Agencies: What to Expect as a Job Seeker

Some agencies specialize in a specific field like natural gas pipeline safety engineers or paralegals. Others cater to more generalized job roles, such as marketing, accounting and customer support. If a client has a specific job they need filled, they will submit the position to the agency, which will then shortlist candidates.

Despite the benefits of temp agencies, some issues persist. The most pressing concerns are a lack of specialized training for temporary employees, an elevated risk of workplace injury and the exploitation of contingent workers by user corporations that game the system to deny them medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits. Moreover, many gig economy workers fail to report their income to the IRS, amounting to an estimated $214.6 billion in unreported earnings. To address these issues, temp agencies should implement robust remote work policies and ensure that all temps are properly trained and vetted to mitigate the risks of their assignments.