The temporary help industry plays an important role in the workplace by finding prequalified employees for employers who are undergoing seasonal or start-up operations or needing to fill positions open as a result of vacations or other employee work interruptions. Working for companies on a temporary basis can give job seekers a chance to test their desires and abilities at several situations before making a long-term commitment. Placement counselors in the temporary help industry generally need to have expertise in interviewing, understanding employer needs, finding temporary workers, explaining job functions, problem solving, and other communication-related skills. Jameel Jackson worked for United Staffing during his college studies. The job started out as a standard part-time activity to help pay for expenses. 

Over time Jameel performed well in several assignments and was given the opportunity to learn more about the operations of a temporary help company. The experience was mutually beneficial. Jameel worked for different companies that did manufacturing, distribution, and service work; he performed work from assembly to loading and many types of office work. Jameel discovered that he was most interested in the office work using computer applications to record information, control functions, and analyze data. He found the office environment stimulating with its energy, variety of tasks, and creativity. Jameel recently completed his undergraduate degree in management from a local college and has been offered a position at United Staffing as a full-time staffing supervisor. His responsibilities will be to coordinate the parttime temporary work needs of several local companies. In addition he will work on two teams. One team responds to employer requests for a significant number of employees. The other team reviews the company’s performance in meeting its customers’ requests and analyzes the company’s financial results.

Responding to the Case

5-16. Why is it important for Jameel to know about the laws and regulations that affect human resource practice?

5-17. Why is it important for Jameel to know how to determine staffing needs?

5-18. What are some recruiting methods that Jameel might use to ensure that he has the right employees to match the needs of employers?

5-19. Research the employment selection process of three businesses in your community. Ask questions like these: What type of and how much testing do they require? Is an application, résumé, or work sample required? Who conducts the interviews and how long are they? Who makes the final decision to hire a new employee? How long is the process?