Many companies in the Inland Empire bring on temporary staff at different times of the year. As a distribution center hub, the companies in this area often bring on temporary associates during peak work cycles, such as in the fall (before Christmas). How can you help motivate these temporary workers? Read below for five tips.

1. Work with your staffing firm and make sure you’re very clear with the its recruiters regarding what qualities you’re looking for in your temporary staff. You may want to specify a certain outlook or work ethic rather than specific skills as skills can be taught but a good work ethic and energy pretty much can’t be. Ask your staffing firm to ask interview questions that require candidates to specify times they had to pitch in quickly – and happily so – to achieve a time-sensitive goal.
2. As you bring temporary staff aboard, provide thorough orientations for them. You also may want to assign them mentors/work buddies with your regular employees so that they’ll have someone they can go to for advice and to answer quick questions.
3. Because you probably have a big push going on with the amount of work that needs to be done, during the temporary associates’ orientation – and periodically during their assignment – make sure they understand the big picture regarding why they were hired. This can help them feel a part of something “bigger than themselves,” which often helps motivate workers.
4. If you’ll be looking to hire some temporary associates full-time after the big push is over, say so. This also could motivate temporary staff members to do their best if they know that a more permanent position is possible. (Don’t emphasize this too much, however, as, temporary staff may feel too much pressure and could be demoralized should they not be selected.)
5. Don’t forget to say “thank you.” And do so regularly. It’s amazing how even a simple, verbal, “thank you” can motivate workers. If your temporary and regular staff members are working hard, acknowledge this fact at least once a day. Verbal acknowledgements are great, but so are Friday afternoon pizza lunches, gifts of movie passes, and so on. Anything you can do to let your workers know you appreciate their hard work can go a long way to keeping them motivated.

Whether you’re looking for distribution workers during peak activity times or you need employees for regular, full-time work with your Ontario company, call upon Arrow Staffing to source, vet and place them for you. Contact us today!