Budgeting for workforce expansion

A strong business plan depends on a strong financial plan, and workforce expansion is one of the largest investments a company makes. Planning for it early helps you make smarter financial decisions. Workforce planning 2026 should include a realistic hiring budget that factors in wages, benefits, onboarding, and training.

It’s also worth thinking about the balance between full-time and temporary staff. As wage inflation continues into 2026, many businesses are exploring ways to stay agile without overspending. Strategic workforce planning can help you find that balance, using a mix of permanent, temporary, and temp-to-hire employees to cover your needs without stretching your payroll too thin.

Staffing agencies like Spherion can help you model these costs and identify the most effective staffing mix for your goals. Our team has up-to-date data on compensation trends and labor costs, and we can help you plan ahead for seasonal shifts or market fluctuations. When you have a staffing partner who understands your business, managing headcount becomes a lot less stressful.

Scaling strategically with staffing agency support

Scaling your team is easier when you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re ramping up for peak season or planning a long-term expansion, staffing agency solutions give you the flexibility to grow at the right pace.

Spherion’s workforce forecasting tools and local recruiting expertise help you plan for the ebbs and flows of your business. Need to scale up quickly? We can connect you with qualified candidates fast. Need to adjust your staffing levels during slower months? We’ll help you do that without disrupting productivity.

We also help you decide when to use temporary, temp-to-hire, or direct hire options. Each approach has advantages depending on your goals, and our recruiters can guide you through which model makes the most sense for each role. This flexibility allows your business to stay efficient and responsive without the growing pains that often come with rapid change.

The right tools and resources for long-term strategic workforce planning

Modern workforce planning depends on data, not guesswork. As part of your staff planning strategies, you should be tracking key metrics like turnover rates, time-to-fill, and cost-per-hire to help you refine your strategy further and identify potential bottlenecks. Or try introducing some workforce analytics tools to reveal trends in employee movement, uncover training opportunities, and predict future staffing needs.

Creating a 12-month rolling staffing forecast ensures that your hiring plans remain current even as business conditions evolve. Contingency planning is equally important; having a strategy for sudden shifts in demand or unexpected vacancies allows your company to remain stable and responsive.

To aid in workforce planning, Spherion offers templates, planning resources, and labor market data to support your long-term workforce planning. Our recruiters combine this data with on-the-ground insights, helping you understand what’s happening in your specific market—not just national trends. That blend of technology and human experience gives you a clearer picture of what’s coming and how to prepare for it.

How to get started on your 2026 workforce plan

A strong workforce plan is not a one-time project but an ongoing process. To prepare for 2026, begin by setting a quarterly workforce planning review schedule. Regular check-ins allow you to evaluate hiring progress, assess skill gaps, and adjust your strategy as business needs change. Different departments like finance, operations, and human resources should also be working together to align staffing decisions with budget forecasts and production goals.

If you haven’t already, now is a great time to bring in a staffing partner. Spherion can help you identify skill gaps, project hiring costs, and design a plan that fits both your immediate and long-term needs. Our team will also help you build flexibility into your plan so you’re prepared for whatever 2026 brings.

The power of proactive planning

Businesses that take workforce planning seriously gain a real competitive edge. Instead of reacting to sudden shortages or market changes, you’ll already have a plan in place. You’ll understand your hiring needs, know where to find the right candidates, and have a clear budget for growth.

Spherion helps make all of that possible. Our local teams bring together national resources, market intelligence, and personal service to help your business succeed. With Spherion as your staffing partner, you’ll have the confidence and flexibility to navigate whatever the labor market throws your way.

The year ahead will bring new challenges, but also new opportunities to grow your team and strengthen your business. Let’s make sure you’re ready. Connect with your local Spherion office today and start building your workforce plan for 2026.

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