The demand for increased hygiene and safety in workplaces continues even as COVID-19 restrictions have eased. Expert janitorial services are essential for your workers and your business.

Finding qualified janitorial staff can be a challenge, though. Current worker shortages make recruiting candidates even harder.

Staffing agencies can help you find the janitorial personnel you need. A janitorial staffing agency has the experience to recruit candidates that will fit your business. Keep reading for five things you should know about working with a staffing agency.

1. Janitorial Staffing Agencies Will Find Well-Qualified Workers

A staffing agency will carefully vet candidates to find you the best workers. Their team will review applicants’ experience and qualifications before scheduling an interview. They choose the best candidates to introduce to your hiring manager.

A janitorial staffing agency specializes in the janitorial industry. They understand what you need from your cleaning personnel.

An experienced staffing agency will find hard-working candidates who demonstrate strong work ethics. You’ll get reliable workers who come on time and finish the job.

The screening process will find people you can trust in your facility. This is critical because janitorial workers may be in your building after hours. They may have access to sensitive equipment or spaces.

2. A Staffing Agency Can Accelerate the Hiring Process

Finding people with the right qualifications in a tight labor market can take time. For example, the average time to fill a position in 2023 is 11 weeks.

A staffing agency can help the process move faster. This is because they have an extensive network of candidates.

You don’t need to spend weeks attracting candidates and reading resumes.

A janitorial staffing agency will find people with the skills you want. Spending time and money on training isn’t cost-effective if you need to fill a short-term janitorial position. You don’t need to spend time onboarding and training a new employee yourself if you work with a temp agency.

3. Staffing Agencies Give You Flexibility

One of the main reasons to work with a staffing agency in Anderson, SC, or Columbia, SC, is flexibility. You can respond quickly as your business needs change. For example, you may need additional help immediately due to an illness or emergency affecting your permanent staff.

A staffing agency can fill your vacancy quickly. You minimize downtime. You avoid overloading your other workers.

With temporary workers, the contract only lasts as long as you need them. You don’t need to worry about unemployment claims or the HR hassle of letting someone go.

Types of Hiring

Depending on your needs, staffing agencies can find you several types of employees: temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire.

The most common positions are temporary. These jobs have a defined start and end date. They can fill various needs, like seasonal work or maternity leave vacancies.

Temp-to-hire positions can transition from temporary positions to permanent ones. This arrangement lets you see if an employee matches the job well.

If the employee is a good fit, you can offer them a permanent job. If not, parting ways is simple at the end of the initial contract period.

The final type of position is a direct hire. The staffing agency is a recruiter to help you fill a permanent position. Offering a full-time, permanent job may attract higher-quality candidates.

With a temporary position, the staffing agency is the official employer. However, you are the official employer for a direct-hire employee. The worker can become a true part of your team.

4. Janitorial Staffing Agencies Can Help You Reduce Costs

Using a staffing agency can help you reduce costs in several ways. Hiring temporary staff to meet increased demand enables you to avoid paying overtime to your permanent employees.

Hiring temporary employees can lower your overhead costs. You don’t need to pay any expenses associated with permanent employees, like health care, retirement plans, and paid vacation. Instead, the staffing agency handles costs like insurance and payroll taxes.

You also lower your unemployment expenses. You don’t need to pay unemployment claims when you no longer need extra employees.

5. A Staffing Agency Lets You Try Out an Employee First

Using a janitorial staffing agency reduces the risk of hiring a permanent employee. You can see how a worker fits into your company before you make an offer.

This also helps the potential employee. They can experience what the job is really like to determine if it’s a good match. Both parties can make a more informed choice.

You avoid wasting time with someone who doesn’t meet the needs of your business. When the contract ends, you and the employee can part ways quickly.

Tips for Working with Janitorial Staffing Agencies

You have many temp agencies in Columbia, SC, to choose from. To be sure you get the most from working with a staffing agency, evaluate your personnel needs first.

You should consider whether you want temporary, temp-to-hire, or direct-hire employees. You should be prepared to describe the skills and experience you’re looking for.

Doing research before you choose a staffing agency is essential. You’ll find many results when you search for a “staffing agency near me.”

You want a company that understands your industry. You want a team with experience finding high-quality janitorial candidates. Look for a company with positive reviews and a good track record.

When you meet with someone from the staffing agency team, ask about their recruitment process. You want to understand how they find and attract the best candidates.

The screening process is also essential. Ask how the staffing agency verifies resumes and screens candidates. You want to be sure you can trust what a candidate tells you.

Finally, look for a staffing agency that values your business. The agency represents you to prospective employees. They should be working in your best interest.

Janitorial Workforce Solutions in Columbia, SC

Staffing agencies can help you find the quality janitorial personnel you need. A janitorial staffing agency allows you to fill vacancies when they arise or respond to short-term changes in demand. You can see how employees will fit into your organization.

Defender Services is a leading staffing agency in Columbia, SC, and Anderson, SC. We can help your company build your commercial maintenance team. Our expertise in janitorial services helps ensure you get qualified people who meet your unique needs.

Defender Services takes the time to get to know your operations. We partner with you to find the right recipe for success.

Request a quote today to learn how we can help you lower costs while improving the quality of your janitorial services.