August 20th, 2021
The Benefits of Seeking Staffing Agency Assistance Amidst the Pandemic
According to a recent Bullhorn survey, unemployment lists among the top adverse effects of COVID-19. Unlike before the pandemic, when talent acquisition was mainly influenced by the economic cycle, the hiring process is more complicated today.
Now that the world is still in uncharted territory, savvy companies must recruit strategically by seeking staffing agency assistance. Not sure how an employment agency can benefit your business amidst COVID-19?
The Effects of COVID-19 on the Staffing Industry
At the height of the pandemic last year, a survey of over 800 global staffing professionals revealed the economic impacts on their staffing companies.
30% of these participants reported that their bottom line had improved from 2019. Unfortunately, for some, the case was grim—with about 28% of these participants reporting 30% financial loss.
The staffing industry in the U.S. was also hit. According to the American Staffing Association, staffing recruitment in the second quarter plunged by 33.6% – at least one million. The education and healthcare sectors were among the most profoundly stricken.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, education jobs fell by 8.8% in October 2020 compared to 2019. This shortage was the highest the country had ever experienced since 2000.
As for healthcare, several states, including Florida, and Oregon suffered massive medical staffing shortages. Currently, the Florida Hospital Association estimates approximately 70% shortages this month.
How Staffing Companies Have Adapted to COVID-19
Despite being affected by the pandemic, staffing firms have adapted to these new demands in several ways.
- Remote working – Many staffing agencies have adopted teleworking, and for some, this mode of working will continue even after the pandemic.
- Resource efficiency – Staffing companies now centralize specific tasks to promote resource efficiency.
- Niche expansion – The pandemic led to the cropping up of novel roles, for instance, “temperature takers.” For this reason, some staffing companies have expanded their niche to include these positions.
Reasons Why You Should Seek Staffing Agency Assistance During the Pandemic
Below are the six ways your company can benefit from seeking staffing agency assistance.
1. Business Agility
Due to the uncertainty, the staffing needs keep shifting as well. However, by working with a staffing agency, your company can quickly meet its temporary staffing needs through temporary workers rather than making a long-term commitment.
2. High-Quality and Timely Staffing
While the pandemic has altered a lot in the staffing industry, one thing that has remained the same is the need for qualified candidates. As mentioned earlier, staffing agencies have adapted by updating their recruitment strategies.
Employment agencies are using AI-powered tools to help in screening and matching candidates to handle the high volume staffing needs. As a result, the hiring process has become faster and more efficient, saving recruiters from performing repetitive tasks.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE & I)
Studies show that having a diverse workforce makes business sense. Diverse teams are more likely to come up with innovative ideas and solutions. Likewise, by promoting DE&I, your company will better attract top talent as these professionals value a dynamic workplace.
Promoting a diverse team requires going beyond your company’s talent pool to source candidates. Fortunately, staffing agencies have an extensive network and access to a diverse talent pool.
4. Cost-Saving
Even before the pandemic, companies were struggling to fill positions with suitable candidates. Now, with so many organizations making lay-offs and others introducing new functions, working with a staffing agency has never been this logical.
An experienced staffing agency will handle the tedious process from sourcing to evaluating candidates. Furthermore, this firm will prevent hiring delays—saving you the costs of a slow hiring process or even a bad hire.
5. Productivity
COVID-19 has led to longer working hours for many employees, especially those providing essential services. This can result in fatigue and productivity loss. Fortunately, staffing agencies can provide temporary workers to take on the additional responsibilities from full-time employees.
6. Forecasting
Staffing agencies understand the hiring trends in your industry. Currently, virtual hiring has become a standard process in almost all industries. Additionally, more companies are switching to internal hiring to reduce costs and boost employee retention.
These are but a few of the recruiting trends that have persisted during the pandemic. A staffing agency can help you develop a recruiting plan ensuring your business’s survival after the pandemic.
Becoming Agile With the Help of PrideStaff Fort Lauderdale
PrideStaff Fort Lauderdale employment agency is a workforce solutions provider offering administrative and clerical staffing services. We have adopted various strategies to promote agility, including work-from-home policies and a fast-track recruiting process.
We also help with call center staffing and we can help you attract the most qualified remote workforce and provide effective onboarding and training. Feel free to contact us to learn how we can meet your staffing needs amidst the pandemic.