Nonprofit HR: 4 Tips for Making the Case for Seasonal or Temporary Staffing

Author: Samantha Oryhon on 3 September 2010 | 0 Comments

For many nonprofits, the use of seasonal or temporary employees is a fundamental part of their business model, allowing the organization to expand and contract their workforce in response to variations in workflow. For example, if you need to add event production staff to support a multi-city event series, a seasonal/temporary staffing model may be the ideal solution for providing the additional needed resources while keeping in mind your organization's budget constraints.

Need help making the business case for hiring seasonal or temporary staff?  Here are four benefits to a seasonal/temporary staffing structure:

• Experience.  You don't have to sacrifice experience and high performing individuals to operate a seasonal/temporary model.  Many experienced professionals are open to short-term positions, especially with current market conditions - both parties' immediate needs are being met.
• Lower Costs.  With shorter-term positions, you save in the cost of year-round salaries and other benefits that typically come along with full-time, year-round employment, such as health insurance, paid time off, etc.
• Building Relationships.  While your organization may not be in a position now to hire additional year-round staff, the temporary staff brought on for immediate resource needs are getting to know your nonprofit and you in turn are building a relationship with them - seasonal/temporary staff may often be your next year-round hire.
• Flexibility.  In seasonal/temporary models, there is flexibility with assignment end dates and extensions.  You may have underestimated the time needed to complete a project and you are able to approach the temporary worker about extending the position.  This allows the company to receive the additional resources without overextending itself financially.