With new data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) showing that UK employers are poised to hire more temporary workers in the coming years, does this mean you should start favouring this type of employment over permanent roles?
In today’s world, choosing a flexible way of working is not uncommon.
However, as we mentioned in our previous blog, temp work does come with its pros and cons.
It’s just a case of deciding whether it’s a lifestyle you want to live.
To help you make an informed choice, I’ve settled the ‘temp work vs permanent work’ debate below.
Permanent and temporary work – what’s the difference?
If you’ve been offered a new job and have the choice between being permanent and temporary, you’re in a good position.
Temporary work is job roles offered over a fixed period of time, lasting anywhere between one day and 12 months – it’s just a matter of how long the employer needs you.
In times of economic uncertainty, businesses find offering temporary employment a more flexible option to freely restructure their teams without having to pay out for redundancies.
They can easily budget and tweak the length of the engagement accordingly.
These types of roles are also offered when a business or organisation needs extra support to fulfil a project or to cope with the absence of an employee – such as a sabbatical, maternity or sickness.
Temporary work is particularly prominent in the retail industry during busy seasons, as well as the care industry who need support all-year-round.
However, freelance and contract work can also fall under the temp work bracket too, with the latter meaning you’re technically on the payroll of the employer, but for a certain time.
In comparison, permanent work is a part or full-time salaried position with a contract to work a set amount of hours each week.
It protects you and the employer, giving both parties peace of mind.
The question is; which is better for you?
Advantages & Disadvantages
Temporary Work
The advantages of temporary work
- If you’re only there for a short amount of time, you can detach yourself from office politics and focus on the job in hand.
- You can earn a lot of money quickly, which can help pay for Christmas or other expenses. In most temp jobs, you’ll earn more than permanent roles – but only over the fixed period.
- It gives you flexibility, helping you to escape the permanent 9-5 lifestyle.
- Temporary work is an ideal option after a long absence away from employment or for graduates looking to gain experience.
- If you’re unsure about what you want to do with your career, you can test out different industries and professions before committing to one path.
- You have complete freedom over your future.
The disadvantages of temporary work
- A salary isn’t guaranteed. Once your contract is up or you haven’t been given a set amount of hours every week, you may find yourself out of pocket.
- Temps don’t have many rights in regards to sick leave and holiday pay.
Permanent Work
The advantages of permanent work
- Permanent offers financial security and peace of mind. You know exactly what you’re going to earn every week or month, so you can budget accordingly.
- You’ll have greater access to more career opportunities within the business.
- You’ll feel more integrated within a team being a part of social events and receiving benefits.
The disadvantages of permanent work
- Your work-life balance might be compromised, especially if you’re overworked and are required to work unsociable hours. This can impact commitments with your friends and family.
- You can feel like you’re stuck in a routine, making the same commute and working the same hours. It can start feeling like you’re living for the weekend.
- Permanent work also comes with notice periods, tying you to your contract before you can leave. If you don’t read the small print before, you might be in for a shock with some employers enforcing a 3-6 month notice period.
Making your mind up
Your best bet is to highlight all of the things that matter to you the most and align them with the advantages/disadvantages above.
Temporary work is a lot of fun and can give you the freedom to live the life you want – which is priceless.
However, if you’d prefer more security and want to follow a certain career path, it might be wise to invest your time and effort into a permanent role.
The good news is that there’s no right or wrong answer.
And if you’re in a permanent position, you’re not stuck.
Making the transition and seeing if the temping lifestyle is right for you is quick and painless.
All you need is a temping specialist helping you find the ideal job.
If you fancy working in the care industry, we have a vast range of jobs suiting all levels of experience.
Simply register with Temps4Care today and take your first steps towards a bright future.
Good luck!
