Temping, contracting, on hire or flexible workforce; whatever you name it, at the end of the day, it is all about choice. Globally people are choosing to try different working options and New Zealand and Australia are no different. Admittedly this doesn’t suit everyone but every day there are millions of people choosing where they will go to work, what pay they will receive and the type of work they will do, and that’s if they decide to work at all!

People chose to be part of the flexible workforce for many reasons including:

• Lifestyle choice - the ability to choose when they want to work
• Unsure of permanent career direction and they can take the time to help them gain clarity
• Opportunity to experience a wide range of organisations and learn from different people
• Have great skills and still have lots to offer but don’t want to work full time
• Returning to the workforce but want to have greater flexibility and time off when needed
• Variety with regards to the type of work carried out
• Familiarisation of New Zealand business market when returning from overseas

Organisations have been working with flexible staffing solutions for years. Businesses globally realise that to be competitive they need to be nimble and responsive to market dynamics. To do this they choose to engage individuals who bring skills they need or don’t have within the business; when they need them and for a specific purpose. Obviously this doesn’t take away from organisations needing a permanent workforce. More often than not it enhances and or compliments the team you have!

Organisations choose to utilise flexible staff for a wide range of reasons including:

• Employee demand. As employees we are looking for greater work life balance or flexibility and companies have to respond to this to assist their retention which in return means they still have a need to fulfil.
• Special Projects. Allowing companies to tap into expertise that may not be readily available within the business
• Maternity Leave
• Annual Holidays
• Sick Leave Cover
• Extra support during workflow peaks
• Implementation of new systems
• Cover as you seek a new permanent team member
• Seasonal fluctuations
• Cover whilst permanent staff are training

And the list goes on.

Being part of the flexible workforce can be exciting, challenging and stimulating, however working with flexible conditions won’t work for everybody. You need to consider your financial obligations, lifestyle and whether you will enjoy the challenge of entering a new environment with every assignment you undertake. In the flexible workforce, client organisations are paying for your expertise whether it is in finance, logistics, administration, marketing, or any other field, so there is very little time to ease in or be trained into a role. The expectation is that you will hit the ground running and deliver the desired outcomes.

With many New Zealand and Australian organisations operating leaner teams, the need to be adaptable, reliable, willing to contribute and get involved are sought after attributes.

If you are considering joining the flexible workforce, talk to a consultant openly and honestly to ensure you are making the right choice!