Making Temporary and Gig Workers Feel Welcome

Gig and temporary workers now account for over a third of the American workforce. This episode of Faithful on the Clock discusses how you can make these workers feel more at home when you bring them into your company.

Timestamps:

[00:05] - Intro

[00:36] - The gig economy is growing rapidly, with some experts predicting that more than half of American workers will be part of the temp trend by 2023. Businesses are recognizing it can be cost-effective to use these people as needed. 

[01:58] - Your business will need to shift to accommodate the growth in gig work.

[02:37] - Shifting your culture to welcome gig workers might be more difficult than the logistical elements of change.

[03:07] - The first big challenge in terms of culture is getting people to see that there is no “us versus them.” We are all on the same team.

[04:07] - Find an ambassador that can be a go-to person for your temporary workers. The ambassador gets to do some leadership, and the temp workers don’t feel so lost and alone.

[05:23] - Provide good documentation for gig workers so they don’t slow down productivity or create conflicts with unnecessary interruptions.

[06:40] - Give temporary people their own space. It creates a feeling of groundedness and familiarity that can help the gig workers settle in.

[07:59] - Consider how temporary gig workers leave your company. Do everything you can to help them feel like they are still connected.

[08:49] - Offer supports where possible to take the edge of the difficulties temporary workers have (e.g., struggling with income instability).

[09:38] - Prayer

[10:17] - Outro/what’s coming up next

Key takeaways:

• Gig work is increasing and is expected to pass 50 percent in the United States by 2023. This will require fundamental changes to workplace operations, such as increased HR personalization.
• Coming into a new place as a temp worker can be stressful. Permanent employees should empathize with this and avoid lapsing into an us-versus-them mentality. We are all on the same team and all are children of God.
• Appoint someone who can be an ambassador and be a go-to person for your temp workers.
• Give temporary workers good documentation for reference so they can get basic answers without interrupting workflows or feeling embarrassed. 
• Give temporary workers their own space so they feel grounded while they are with you.
• Consider how temporary workers exit and help them leave in a way that keeps your relationship open.
• Try to offer whatever supports you can to temporary workers to help them cope with their unique challenges.

Relevant Links:

COVID and the GIG Economy–By the Numbers

Is the Pandemic the Right Time to Start a Business? It Just Might Be

Gig Economy Statistics: The New Normal in the Workplace

The Gig Or Permanent Worker: Who Will Dominate The Post-Pandemic Workforce?

CTAs:

• Identify people who can serve as ambassadors to the temporary workers you bring in. Assign them to that leadership role as needed.
• Do everything you can to destroy the us-versus-them mentality from the start, including recognizing the work the gig workers do right away.
• Use documentation, designated spaces, and empathetic exit processes to help temporary workers find their way and get a good impression of you.
• Provide supplemental support to your temporary workers to reduce their stress.  

What’s coming up next:

The idea of self-care is everywhere and is only growing as work-life balance gets muddier. But has capitalism hijacked it and turned it into something harmful? Next week’s episode of Faithful on the Clock digs into whether the self-care concept is being perverted and what role leaders can play in ensuring we use it properly.