Staffing employment is on the rise so far this year, with almost half of all staffing firms reporting gains in new assignments. That means that more and more businesses are looking for staffing help from agencies and outsourcing much of the recruiting and hiring process.
In light of this, now seems like the right time to share a little-known fact: Those same staffing agencies can work on-location at the client’s place of business, offering a closer working relationship that also gives potential candidates a better idea of the company culture and work environment. If you’re considering relying more heavily on a staffing partner, you may want to explore on-premise staffing as a compelling option for your workforce solutions.
What kinds of businesses benefit most from on-premise staffing?
An on-premise staffing or onsite staffing management program can be invaluable for businesses seeking a more hands-on and tailored approach to their hiring. It’s particularly helpful when companies are looking for candidates who can meet extremely precise job requirements, because it allows the client to work more closely with the staffing provider throughout the hiring process. On-site staffing is also popular in industries where specialized skills or industry-specific knowledge are crucial, as it allows the staffing partner to gain a deeper understanding of the position, the company's culture, and operations.
Similarly, compliance with safety regulations is critical in many industries, and the wrong hire can constitute a major setback. With an on-premise staffing agency, businesses can tap into the expertise of recruiting professionals who specialize in placing people in roles with strict safety regulations, ensuring that their workforce is well-versed in and adheres to all the necessary safety protocols.
And sometimes, teams simply don’t have the bandwidth to do all the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring themselves. Frequently, small teams—or even a department of one—can’t find the time and resources to add this additional task on their already full plates, so on-premise staffing offers a convenient solution. In instances like these, outsourcing hiring processes is more economical, because it frees up valuable time for core business activities.
Finally, businesses seeking assistance with monitoring employee productivity or performance can benefit significantly from an on-premise staffing model. The physical presence of staffing experts on-site enables real-time observation and feedback, which can optimize your workforce’s productivity levels and make sure that any performance issues are addressed promptly.
What kinds of situations lead businesses to pursue on-site staffing?
While there are many instances in which a company would partner with an on-site staffing provider, there are a few situations that we see most often. First and foremost is the need to hire a temporary workforce of at least 50—either for project-specific hiring, seasonal hires, or simply changing business needs. That’s a pretty large number and represents a big undertaking for a company’s full-time staff to try and fit into their regular workload. Instead of placing this responsibility on the internal team, companies can instead charge the on-site staffing partner with coordinating the recruitment, onboarding, and day-to-day management for a sizable contingent workforce.
Sometimes, the situations that lead to partnering with a staffing agency are more cultural. Some companies may be ready to implement more cutting-edge recruitment and workforce management technologies, so they seek out the expertise of on-site professionals to innovate within staffing. Others may be looking for more accountability and confidence during the hiring process, and outsourcing this work to a partner dedicated completely to recruitment, onboarding, and employee management can provide greater peace of mind.
Another common situation is a company wanting to take a streamlined and consolidated approach to staffing. Some organizations work with numerous vendors on an ad-hoc basis, which can get complicated to manage. By working with a single, reliable on-site staffing partner, they benefit from simplified communication, easier coordination, and a more cohesive and efficient working relationship.
What are the different types of on-premise staffing typically offered?
In the staffing world, one size doesn’t fit all, which is why on-premise staffing encompasses various models tailored to meet the specific needs of individual businesses. In general, you’re likely to see on-premise staffing offerings fall into four categories:
Full-time on-site staffing:
This model is best suited for companies that regularly rely on a large workforce of temporary employees, often of 100+ individuals. With needs of this scale, the staffing partner works completely out of your location, conducting all recruiting efforts on-site so potential employees can see exactly where they’ll be working. Because the staffing partner’s team is so embedded, they also attend all of the usual meetings with your HR teams and the departments that need to hire.
Hybrid staffing solutions:
The hybrid model is a good choice for companies that need to augment their full-time employees with a temporary workforce of 75 or more individuals. Typically, this occurs with seasonal hires or companies that prefer to pursue a temp-to-hire model for talent acquisition. In this model, most of the recruiting activities and interviews take place on-site, with some other functions completed from the staffing partner’s main office.
Working with multiple staffing suppliers:
For additional flexibility, there’s also the option to work with multiple staffing suppliers, rather than relying on just one. Some companies prefer this model because they like to have options, while others may choose to work with several staffing partners because they need to meet varying hiring needs. In this model, multiple vendors will typically work on-premise at your location to support your business objectives.
Project-based staffing:
Certain businesses may want to rapidly scale up to build teams dedicated to specific projects. When the project wraps, the temporary workforce may be reassigned or simply have their contract end. In these instances, the staffing partner can follow a similar timeline, joining the company for on-site recruiting and hiring for the duration of the project only.
What are some of the benefits of on-site staffing?
On-site staffing offers a range of benefits that contribute to a company’s success.
Scalability
One of the major benefits is scalability. Businesses often face fluctuations in their workforce needs—whether planned or unplanned—and on-site staffing solutions provide the agility to scale up or down rapidly in response to changing demands. This flexibility is particularly crucial in industries with dynamic market conditions, seasonal variations, or project-based work where staffing requirements can vary significantly.
Reduction in time to staff
Similarly, having an on-site staffing partner significantly reduces the time it takes to fill open positions. The on-site team is intimately familiar with the hiring company’s needs, allowing for accelerated candidate sourcing, screening, and onboarding. This is particularly advantageous in industries where rapid responsiveness to staffing requirements is critical.
Greater efficiency and productivity
On the process side of things, on-site staffing leads to greater efficiency across the board. Scheduling becomes more streamlined as the on-premise team has a direct understanding of day-to-day operations, allowing them to optimize work schedules based on real-time needs. The on-site presence also enables a more hands-on approach, fostering a positive workplace culture. Because they are co-located, the staffing team becomes acquainted with the client's values, goals, and working environment, leading to a shared understanding and more collaborative relationship.
What does an on-site staffing manager handle?
An on-site staffing manager serves as the linchpin in overseeing staffing within a client's premises.
Helping to set staffing strategy
Primarily responsible for recruitment and onboarding, the manager spends their days collaborating closely with the client to understand specific workforce needs, strategize scalable solutions, and ensure that everyone on the staffing team is up to speed on the client's expectations.
Improving employee performance
Beyond day-to-day recruiting efforts, the on-premise manager will also help establish positive employee relations, implementing performance management initiatives and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and industry regulations.
A strategic staffing training and problem-solving partner
Taking a look at the big picture, the on-site staffing manager acts as a strategic partner, helping their client to develop and refine their staffing strategies based on business requirements. This may also include providing ongoing training to employees and generating regular reports on key performance indicators. Their multifaceted role extends to problem-solving, scalability planning, and maintaining robust client relationships, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the on-site staffing program.
How can I start establishing an onsite hiring program?
Starting a new relationship with an on-premise staffing partner off on the right foot is key to ensuring a successful collaboration. If you’re exploring an option like this, we recommend you follow our step-by-step guide:
- Begin with an informal conversation to establish a rapport and discuss your business's staffing needs. Be candid about your current hiring processes, pain points, and goals; you’ll need to be honest to determine if you’re a good fit.
- Next, delve into the staffing agency's on-site program options. Ask about their experience with on-site staffing, the range of services they offer, and how their programs can be tailored to meet your specific requirements.
- Initiate a discovery process where both parties dive deeper into the intricacies of your business and its workforce requirements. Share insights about your industry, company culture, and any specific compliance or safety considerations. The staffing agency, in turn, should provide a detailed understanding of their capabilities, methodologies, and how they plan to address your unique staffing challenges.
- If you decide to work together, you’ll detail out the parameters of the on-site staffing program and finalize the partnership. Discuss contractual terms, service level agreements, pricing structures, and any other relevant details. Once that’s complete, you can sign the agreement, solidifying the commitment between your business and the staffing agency.
- All that’s left is to get started! Let the staffing partner begin optimizing your hiring processes, leveraging their expertise to enhance efficiency, reduce time-to-fill, and contribute to a more effective workforce management strategy.
As businesses navigate the complexities of hiring, a strategic collaboration with an on-premise staffing partner can make all the difference. Beyond mere recruitment, they offer a tailored, hands-on approach that both addresses staffing goals and positions businesses for sustained growth and efficiency—serving as an indispensable ally in the journey toward a more robust and productive workforce.