This document provides guidance on choosing a temporary staffing firm. It discusses how temporary employees are commonly used to address fluctuations in workloads, fill temporary vacancies, find permanent employees, and provide immediate expertise. It also outlines the types of positions temporary employees typically fill and key factors to consider when selecting a staffing firm such as their candidate screening processes, pricing models, guarantees, and specializations. Choosing the right staffing firm requires understanding these criteria to find candidates that meet needs cost effectively.

1. Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved. ATR International, Inc. A Buyer’s Guide to Temporary Employment Services How to find the service that is right for you

2. Choosing a temporary staffing firm often amounts to nothing more than a last-minute phone call to fill an absence or to get help in a crisis.

3. However, a more strategic approach to choosing the proper firm can minimize costs and increase effectiveness and productivity.

4. This guide, and the accompanying white paper, is the starting point in helping you compare companies and identify the best temporary staffing firm for your business.

5. So How are Temporary Employees Commonly Used?

10. What Types of Positions do Temporary Employees Fill? Industrial and Production 33% * Technical (computer programmers, engineers, analysts, etc.) is the fastest growing category of the three. Clerical and Office 35% Technical* 32%

11. What are the Differences Between Firms?

15. Cost Breakdown Temporary staffing firms generally charge a fixed hourly rate per temporary employee. This hourly bill rate will vary depending on the temporary employees skill set. Easy to find, less skilled workers typically result in lower bill rates than harder to find, highly skilled workers. The bill rate usually includes:

16. Cost Breakdown Temporary staffing firms generally charge a fixed hourly rate per temporary employee. This hourly bill rate will vary depending on the temporary employees skill set. Easy to find, less skilled workers typically result in lower bill rates than harder to find, highly skilled workers. The bill rate usually includes: Pay rate: This is the hourly rate that is paid to the temporary employee by the staffing firm

17. Cost Breakdown Temporary staffing firms generally charge a fixed hourly rate per temporary employee. This hourly bill rate will vary depending on the temporary employees skill set. Easy to find, less skilled workers typically result in lower bill rates than harder to find, highly skilled workers. The bill rate usually includes: Pay rate: This is the hourly rate that is paid to the temporary employee by the staffing firm Statutory government payroll costs: This includes things such as FUTA, SUTA, Worker's Compensation, etc.

18. Cost Breakdown Temporary staffing firms generally charge a fixed hourly rate per temporary employee. This hourly bill rate will vary depending on the temporary employees skill set. Easy to find, less skilled workers typically result in lower bill rates than harder to find, highly skilled workers. The bill rate usually includes: Pay rate: This is the hourly rate that is paid to the temporary employee by the staffing firm Statutory government payroll costs: This includes things such as FUTA, SUTA, Worker's Compensation, etc. Benefits: This cost will vary and should be negotiated up front with the staffing firm. Firms can be flexible with benefits. Keep in mind that benefits can be an effective tool in increasing worker retention.

19. Cost Breakdown Temporary staffing firms generally charge a fixed hourly rate per temporary employee. This hourly bill rate will vary depending on the temporary employees skill set. Easy to find, less skilled workers typically result in lower bill rates than harder to find, highly skilled workers. The bill rate usually includes: Pay rate: This is the hourly rate that is paid to the temporary employee by the staffing firm. Statutory government payroll costs: This includes things such as FUTA, SUTA, Worker's Compensation, etc. Benefits: This cost will vary and should be negotiated up front with the staffing firm. Firms can be flexible with benefits. Keep in mind that benefits can be an effective tool in increasing worker retention. Profit: The staffing firms profit is also included in the bill rate.

20. Additional Tips Guarantees Ask about guarantees from services for the workers. Reputable services generally guarantee satisfaction by waiving fees for workers who do not work out over specific periods of time.

21. Additional Tips Security Clearances If security clearance is of concern, see that the staffing firm is set up to accommodate your needs.

22. Additional Tips Pricing Understand that the lowest priced staffing firm probably won't get you the best candidates or do the best screening of those candidates. As a result, it is important to balance cost and your desired quality of candidates. "You get what you pay for" is an adage that truly applies to the staffing industry.

23. Additional Tips Conversions Make sure to inquire about the cost of converting a temporary employee to a permanent position before working with a service. Doing this ahead of time can eliminate any unexpected costs should you decide to bring a temporary employee on as a permanent employee.

25. For more information about finding the best temporary employee service for your company, please login to our Resource Center. There you will find the 20 question you need to have answered to insure you make the right choice. We hope you find the information useful. Please visit www.atrinternational.com