When you need additional support, but you can’t or don’t want to bring on additional full-time employees, you can choose part-time staff. These employees are there to provide the help you need when you need it, without becoming a long-term burden. While they can be a gift, they bring their own management challenges. Here are five strategies to help you manage your part-time employees.
1. Don’t view them differently
Even though an employee isn’t part of your permanent, full-time staff doesn’t mean they don’t have value. Treating them differently, or like they’re second to the rest of your staff, can cause problems. Always keep the mindset that they’re there to help your company, just like everyone else, and you’ll maintain much better relationships.
2. Give them a job to do
There’s a temptation when you bring on part-timers to just send them wherever you need help, but this can hurt the quality of your hires and the work completed. The work may not be full-time, but you still need someone with the right skills and experience. Write an actual job description and hire a person to do that specific job.
3. Attach them to specific projects
While the work is specific, they don’t necessarily need to be aligned with one department (role dependent). Sometimes, it might be wiser to bring them on for a job on a specific project where they’ll work cross-departmentally and potentially more productively as a result.
4. Meet with them
As a manager, you should take time to meet with everyone on your team, including part-time workers. In these conversations, you can find out how the work is going, how they’re adjusting, and anything you can do to support them in their role. By taking this time, you’re developing a better relationship and they’ll feel more dedicated and like they’re a real part of your company.
5. Include them during relevant meetings
Like earlier points is the fact that they need to be included in all relevant staff activities, regardless of status. When you don’t invite them, especially to a meeting related to their work, you’re sending a negative message to both them and the team, like they don’t really belong.
Let Workbox do the heavy lifting for you
When you need extra support in your office, light industrial, warehouse, or manufacturing setting, look no further than Workbox Staffing. We’re an employment agency with your mind, dedicating our work to finding the right employee for you – not just a body to fill the void. Through thorough vetting and thoughtful hiring, we make sure we’re delivering the right candidates every time. Call or stop into any of our locations to get started today!
