How Long Should It Take to Know if A Temp Would Make a Great Full Timer?

How long it takes your business to know if a temp would make a great full timer varies depending on the temp and on other factors such as your company’s situation and on-boarding practices. In general, however, you should have a good idea within four to eight weeks. Here’s why:

1. How the temp fits with the business and other workers

Four to eight weeks generally is enough time for you to determine how well a temp meshes with the business and with other staffers. It is enough time for the temp to have gotten over most of his jitters and have eased into the position and work independently. You can determine if the temp understands and follows the company culture and how well he performs his job. For example, it is a positive sign if your company values punctuality and the temp is five minutes early or on time every day.

2. The temp’s value

Four to eight weeks is also probably enough for a temp to have provided value or the potential for value. You have seen him work, meet deadlines, attend meetings, complete projects, socialize with other employees and perhaps provide fresh perspective. It is usually enough time for you to analyze if he possesses attributes that are important to you and the business. If your business is severely understaffed and the temp is doing well, that can be tremendous value.

3. Other considerations

If your business’s on-boarding processes were/are shaky, you may need more time to determine if a temp would make a great full timer. A lack of proper training and good workspace likely means a temp took longer to get acclimated. This may be especially true if the temp has (or had) no mentor, no permanent work space and no regular performance review meetings. If your on-boarding processes are satisfactory and the temp is not doing as well as you would like after eight weeks, he may not make a great full timer.

Also, remember that even if you didn’t bring someone in as a temp-to-hire, you should always consider a temp as a potential full time employee.

Image Source : Nguyen Hung Vu