Virtual Temps are more flexible, more productive |
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Page 1 of 2  download article Using Temps to cover short term vacancies or staff absences has been the traditional approach for many years, even though we all know that getting the right person can be a lottery. Despite complaints about training and briefing each new person, a lack of commitment and unreliability, hiring a Temp has been the only real option when you need cover.
Company managers now have more resourcing options, from part time and temporary positions to contractors and permanent hires. However suitable the employee or perfect the contract of employment, managers will still have to deal with traditional staffing problems, covering workload peaks, long term sickness and absences (e.g. maternity leave). In this article we examine how using “Virtual Temps” can offer a consistently better alternative on a highly cost effective basis. What Are Virtual TempsVirtual Temps are self-sufficient PAs, Secretaries and Administrators who are set up with internet access and the IT equipment necessary, to work with you remotely. Provided you grant them access to your network and systems – as many companies already grant to their own remote staff - they can do almost everything an office-based worker can do.A Virtual Temp works along similar lines to a Virtual Assistant: they are assigned to you although they may have other clients. They may also work in a team, and for some of your work it may make sense to delegate work to a colleague, so you get access to greater capacity and wider skills, as well as instant cover for their holidays and sickness. Unlike traditional Temps, a Virtual Temp will always be your Temp on-hand whenever you need them. This consistency and continuity has several benefits: • You only brief them on your work once • Your staff get to know them as a colleague • Your customers will accept them as “one of the team” Another advantage is that you only pay for their productive time. Often, traditional Temps spend a lot of time waiting around, taking breaks and getting to know your business and other staff. This can account for 50-75% of their time, depending on how well they are managed. Because Virtual Temps are responsible for maintaining their own customers, their incentive to perform well is far stronger than most employees or traditional Temps. |