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10 min czytania 12 September 2024

Temporary work – what are its characteristics?

Temporary work is a flexible form of employment that is gaining increasing popularity on the labour market. It is characterised by the fact that an employee is employed for a specific period of time, often on the basis of a temporary employment contract or a contract of mandate. What exactly is temporary work? What does employing a temporary worker look like?

Temporary work

Temporary work – what is it?

Temporary work is a form of employment in which an employee provides work for a set period of time by the employer, according to the employer’s needs. It is a flexible arrangement that often involves employment on the basis of a temporary employment contract or a contract of mandate, usually by a temporary employment agency. This type of work is characterised by short-termism, but this is not the rule. It also often happens that the employer hires a deserving employee for a longer period, already on an employment contract. Temporary work is a good solution for people who need to find employment quickly for a specific period of time.

Temporary work should be employment of a seasonal, periodic or ad hoc nature. In addition to adapting the working hours to the employer’s needs, there are specific regulations that determine the maximum period for which temporary work can last.

What distinguishes temporary work is its tripartite nature. The cooperation involves the temporary employment agency, the user employer and the employee. In practice, it looks like the employee is hired by the agency, which takes care of all the formalities such as the contract or HR and payroll matters. The agency then delegates the employee to the user employer’s company, where the employee performs his or her duties.

Temporary work can vary, but the most common jobs are for warehouse work, production work or to travel abroad. Picking fruit, vegetables, flowers etc. is also popular.

How does a temporary employment agency work?

Not sure what employment through a temporary employment agency is?

A temporary employment agency is an institution that acts as an intermediary between the employee and the employer. It helps jobseekers to find work and employers to match suitable candidates with vacancies. Employment by a temporary work agency is a form of work in which an employee is formally employed by an agency and then seconded to perform duties for an external company, known as a user employer.

A temporary employment agency also often handles non-standard recruitment, accommodation for employees, legalisation of residence, consultancy services, employee leasing, etc. An employment agency is also often referred to as an employment agency, personnel agency or recruitment agency. Each agency may be concerned with a variety of industries, and may seek both clerical and manual workers. Most often, however, an employment agency is concerned with manual labour, and recruiters are looking for warehousemen, production workers, forklift operators, machine operators, builders and other professionals.

What kind of work is done in temporary work?

Temporary jobs can cover a variety of positions and industries, depending on the needs of the employers and the specialisation of the temporary employment agency. These most commonly include

  • seasonal, periodic, ancillary jobs – e.g. warehouseman, waiter, cook, production worker, stock-taking, hostess, childcare,
  • work that the user employer’s employees would not be able to perform within a certain period of time,
  • work that is the responsibility of an absent employee employed by the user employer.
temporary work

What is the limit of temporary work?

Temporary work has certain limitations. One of them is the limit of temporary work. The regulations state that a temporary worker can do it for no more than 18 months for one user employer in a consecutive 36-month period. Longer employment with the same company will therefore be against the regulations. It is also worth remembering that these restrictions apply to the company using the temporary worker, not to the employment agency. In the case of an agency, there is no limit on the duration of temporary work for one employee.

Temporary work restrictions apply to both temporary work under an employment contract and civil law contracts, as well as situations where an employee performs work alternately under both types of contract.

Important! As a company using a temporary worker, whether you employ them through one or more agencies, you must comply with the time limits for temporary work set out in the legislation.

If you break these regulations or violate the rights of a temporary employee, the fine can range from PLN 1,000 to PLN 30,000.

When can a temporary worker not be employed?

A temporary worker cannot work on every type of temporary job. According to the regulations, he or she cannot work at:

  • particularly hazardous work,
  • work in a position where another worker is permanently employed but is involved in a strike,
  • work that requires the security guard to be equipped with firearms or incapacitating devices by means of electricity, the use of which requires the possession of an appropriate permit.

A temporary employee may not perform the same work as that performed by an employee who has been terminated by the company for unrelated reasons within 3 months prior to the intended commencement of the temporary work.

This restriction also applies if such work would be performed in any business unit of the company located in the same municipality where the dismissed employee previously worked.

Advantages of temporary work for the employee

Temporary work has many advantages for both employer and employee. It is a good solution for people who need to find employment quickly for a limited period of time. This could be students or people looking for casual work, but also permanent work. What are the advantages of temporary work?

  • Ease of employment – a temporary work agency quickly finds employment that suits the candidate’s needs, thanks to a broad base of offers from different industries and flexible working conditions. The employee can count on a fast recruitment process, often without lengthy formalities, which enables a quick start.
  • Flexibility – temporary work can be an additional job, in addition to regular employment or study. There is often a shift system, which allows you to better adapt your schedule to your individual needs and responsibilities.
  • Experience and development opportunities – temporary work provides the opportunity to gain additional experience that may be useful in your future career. You learn something valuable in every job, so it is always a chance to develop practical skills.
  • Opportunity to gain permanent employment – many companies treat temporary work as a trial period, and temporary workers are often offered permanent employment if they prove themselves in the role.
  • Additional source of income – for those who already have a permanent job, temporary work can be a way to earn extra money. It can be seen as a way of earning extra income at times of increased financial need, such as holidays or holidays.
  • Ability to learn skills quickly – Temporary work often involves the need to learn new skills quickly, which is an excellent opportunity to gain additional competencies. Temporary workers can attend in-house training courses of the companies they work for, giving them access to knowledge and tools that they could use in their future career.
temporary work

Advantages of temporary work for the employer

Employers are keen to employ temporary workers for their companies, as they can make a significant difference to the efficiency of the business. Temporary work is useful for employers who need to find people to work quickly and during periods of peak demand. What are the advantages of temporary work for the employer?

  • Quickly filling staff shortages – employment agencies find new candidates quickly, allowing employers to respond to demand. This is very important as it keeps the business running.
  • Reduced hiring costs – opting to work with an employment agency can reduce the hiring costs associated with recruiting too long or a hole in the workforce. An employment agency can quickly find suitable candidates for a job, allowing the company to operate properly without any downtime.
  • Flexibility in personnel management – employers can easily change the number of employees according to the company’s current needs. This is particularly helpful when the company suddenly needs more people, during periods of seasonal change or during projects of short duration.
  • Reduction in staff turnover – by employing temporary staff, companies can reduce the frequency of team changes, allowing for greater stability and fewer problems associated with constantly looking for new employees.

Who is temporary work for?

Temporary work is an excellent solution for different groups of people, depending on their needs and life situation. Temporary work for students is one of the most frequently chosen forms of employment, as it offers the possibility to flexibly fit the work schedule with university classes. Students can undertake work for short periods while gaining work experience and additional financial resources.

Temporary work for employees is ideal for people who are looking for short-term employment, such as during transitional periods, between job changes or after a longer project. This form of employment allows employees to gain new skills and learn about different industries, which can help further their career development.

Temporary holiday work is particularly popular as it allows people to earn money in their spare time, especially young people such as pupils and students. Seasonal work during this period is often associated with a higher demand for staff, such as in tourism, catering or retail.

Another type of employment is temporary seasonal work, particularly sought after in industries related to agriculture, horticulture or outdoor work. Such offers are particularly popular at certain times of the year, when the demand for workers increases due to the nature of the seasonal activity.

Temporary work for minors is an option for people who are 16 years of age or older and want to gain their first work experience. Younger workers are subject to specific regulations regarding working hours and employment conditions, allowing them to safely combine work and study.

Do you need extra hands to work? Or do you need to find a job?

We are a temporary employment agency that will find you a job or temporary workers. Contact us and we will help you solve your employment or staffing shortage. We look forward to hearing from you!

Temporary work in Poland offers many benefits for both employees and employers. Thanks to its flexibility, speed of employment and the possibility to gain diverse experience, it is an attractive option in a dynamic labour market.

Check also: Absence from work – how to justify it?

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