2023 is already gearing up to be a historical year in staffing. While inflation is slowing and job growth remains high, recent tech company layoffs and bank failures have some experts worried about a potential recession. Whether or not it actually becomes a reality, now is a great time to make sure your company is ready to weather a possible storm. Here are some things to think about in regards to staffing this year.
Hire for Broad Skill Sets
This may not be the best time to hire specialists. Whenever possible, choose employees with broad, transferable skill sets. This will allow you to move them around as needed, minimizing the total number of new hires you require.
Limit Your Number of Full-Time Employees
It’s always easiest to run a business when you are fully staffed. But the last thing you want is to hire a bunch of new full-time employees, only to turn around and lay them off if a recession hits. Think carefully about whether you really need a permanent employee in each open role.
Fill in Gaps with Temporary Workers
Temporary workers are a company’s dream during times of economic uncertainty. They work for a staffing agency, so you won’t need to go through the time and expense of onboarding them and providing company benefits. A good agency can get you fully qualified temporary help within just a few days. And temp contracts can be as long or as short as you want them to be. Whether you need help with a project you’re wrapping up or you want to fill an open role for several months while you wait to see what the economy brings, temporary employees are there for you. Treat them well, and they will likely be willing to come back if you need their assistance in the future.
Another possibility is a temp-to-hire solution. You can bring someone on with a temporary contract, and then spend that time getting to know each other. If the employee turns out to be indispensable, and you decide you are ready to hire full-time, you can make an offer. Otherwise, you can simply allow the temp contract to end.
There is no guarantee that a recession will occur this year. But it’s always better to over-prepare. Get your staffing plan in place, and you will be ready for whatever comes your way.
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