Did you know that an estimated 20% of the workforce are casual employees? Working long hours doing the jobs that many contracted employees do not want to do, your casual staff members are the backbone of your business. Just because they aren’t planning on staying at the company for the long haul, that doesn’t mean they don’t help to create a successful enterprise. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. So with this being said, here’s how you can get the most out of your casual employees…
Build a community
On average, casual workers tend to stay at a company for less than 12 months. This makes it hard for them to really immerse themselves in the dynamic community of people who work there. They are well aware of their temporary status within the company and such a short period of time can make them feel out of place amongst your professional community. Your casual employees are likely working long and odd hours, meaning that the social interaction they receive on the job can really impact their mood, motivation and ultimately their performance. By actively trying to engage all members of staff through work functions, team meetings and other morale boosting initiatives, your team can get to know one another and hopefully start to build a more inclusive community.
Understanding your employees
If you didn’t already know, all employees are not built the same. Whether they’re a seasonal casual or your hardest working member of staff, it’s important to understand that some people work better in different circumstances. This is why you should aim to engage the intellect of your staff and help them develop skills they can feel good about. This will not only make them feel more motivated about the work they’re doing, but in turn promote efficiency and productivity in the workplace. In fact, studies have shown that autonomy, or self-sufficiency, is one of the most powerful motivators in all aspects of life, including the workplace. This means that by allowing your employee to independently accomplish their tasks can work wonders for your enterprise.
Provide incentives
Employees are very responsive to incentives. They engage employees and motivate them to do their best. This can come in many forms, such as a higher rate of pay, reward systems or company-paid functions. When your employees feel that they are working towards something they can benefit from, they are more likely to concentrate and work harder.
Provide security
Nobody enjoys working for a company that communicates very little information to their employees. This is particularly important when it comes to helping your casual staff understand their own roles. Although you cannot offer casuals the same security as you do with contract employees, keeping them in the loop is vital. Let me know what shifts they will have and how long they are expected to remain in their role. Promote a sense of understanding and trust by having their best interests at heart. Respect can go a long way, especially when it comes to productivity and company morale.
