It is common practice for businesses, large and small, to hire temporary employees to help them meet the demands of the high seasons. Managing these new employees engaged just for a short term, is normally a challenge for many business owners and managers, and it usually deprives them of the ability to get the most out of newbies.

However, if you are a manager and you fully understand that one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in managing resources, then you will be more open to trying a different approach to get the best results out of temporary employees. So, how do you manage temporary employees?

Set expectations at the outset

Make it abundantly clear to the new employees what is expected of them, and how both of you stand to benefit for the duration that you will be together. Most temporary workers will be there with a short-term mentality, and will be interested in making some quick money or gaining certain experience to add to their respective CVs. But if you can offer them something beyond this, and allow them to see how exactly they may benefit while at your organization, they are likely to get the motivation they need to deliver their best work.

Set them up for success with the right training

It is very easy for temporary staff to get it all wrong in your business; especially if they are not accorded the proper training. Remember, a good number of them weren’t filtered through HR or a typical hiring process, and they may not have proper experience or training regarding what is needed of them. The best way to mitigate this, as the employer is to provide a compressed training session that will get them going in the shortest time possible. Keep in mind that certain recruitment agencies may fail to fully inform them regarding your business.

Learn how to motivate them

Seasonal employees don’t share the same motivation as your permanent staff, but you still have the duty to keep them motivated, and so you will have to find ways to achieve this. If it is possible, and your business margins can allow it, think about how you can create extra financial incentives such as contests, or simply recognize their work in the presence of the rest of the team. Money motivates them a lot and recognizing their efforts in front of the rest, is a sure way to increase their morale.

Include them in team meetings

In as much as they are temporary employees and your engagement with them has an anticipated end date, you should treat them just like permanent employees, and make them feel like part of your organization. This may include, allowing them to attend team and strategy meetings. Simply because they are temp employees doesn’t mean that they are less knowledgeable or less skilled. The more they feel accepted as part of your organization, the more they will gain a sense of belonging, and this will add to their motivation to offer their very best in terms of output.