5 Ways to Make Your Temporary Staff Feel Welcome

April 16th, 2014

Team morale is one of the most important factors in the success of your company. Without a cohesive attitude, your company will begin to feel the negative effects and your productivity will suffer. When you hire new team members, especially those on a temporary basis, it can prove to be difficult fostering that connected feeling between employees. There are several steps you can take in order to make even temporary staff members feel welcome and valuable to your organization:

  1. Include them in on the fun events. It is a given that you will ask the temporary employees to attend meetings and conferences but don’t forget to invite them to team activities such as happy hour after work, or a catered lunch event. The informal setting can help everyone open up to each other and really get to know one another.
  2. Get to know them personally. If you have a company birthday wall or family wall, ask them to participate. Some companies honor family service members or family achievements so give them a chance to interact with others in your organization. They may find others with common interest and family situations, which can create an immediate bond.
  3. Be cautious about how you talk about their employment. It’s never a good idea to mention they are temporary or to keep reminding everyone on the team that they are just “here for a couple weeks” because you may want them to stay on longer. It can also make them feel as though they are disposable to the team and not allowed to be part of the long term planning meetings.
  4. Ask for their input when others are around. The full-time staff may not recognize the value of the short term employees but when they see your attitude and openness, they will more than likely follow your lead.
  5. Give them a spot. Don’t assume that just because they are temporary, they won’t need to have a desk or supplies like the other staff and by not providing that, it can send the message of their lack of importance. When they have their own space and tools to perform at the job, they can achieve success and others will recognize them for their abilities.

The temporary team members are an integral part of your organization or you wouldn’t have a need for them. The simple fact of their hiring speaks to their worth and their value to the company as a whole but unless the team understands it, there can be contention and unnecessary hostility. As their leader, you have the ability to make it work effectively and can help each team member feel valuable and welcome among your staff.

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