Temporary labour services are called upon on a construction site.

Temporary Labor and How It
Can Help Your Business

Temporary Labour and How It Can Help Your Canadian Business

August 3, 2021

Temporary Labour Solutions May Help Navigate Ongoing Worker Shortages in Canada

Temporary labour plays an important role in many industries. The pandemic has caused a long list of complications across several sectors. Many business leaders have had to pivot their strategies to address supply and demand, recruit talented workers, and facilitate the shift to remote work.

Further, it’s important to consider the long-term uncertainty that COVID-19 has presented to North American economies. A multitude of factors, including labor shortages and COVID variants, pose significant risks to industries that are likely focused on the short-term bounce back rather than a business’s long-term viability. Temporary labor can address some of the threats that many industries are facing and can act as a great solution for companies that continue to struggle with worker shortages, labor strikes, and absenteeism.

Temporary Labour Used to Address Worker Shortages

One of the key trends in 2021 and beyond is uncertainty. Worker shortages in North America have been rampant for several reasons, and certain industries might be challenged to fill roles even if an employer increases their offerings. Low-skilled laborers, including logistics and warehouse professionals, have been limited in certain markets, and shifts in consumer demands have seen an increase in demand without sufficient supply. Many markets continue to shift and evolve post-pandemic, and demands from consumers and other businesses are expected to be in a constant state of flux.

Skilled tradespeople in North America are also in high demand in various industries, including electricians, machinists, welders, plumbers, and carpenters. Many temporary work agencies offer both skilled and unskilled workers that can help to alleviate some challenges experienced by business owners. Delivery, grocery, fast-food, and retail positions are becoming difficult to fill as candidates have become more selective and patient during their job search.

Temporary workforces can help address these issues as they arise, speaking to the needs of business owners who are experiencing volatile spikes in demand. Further, temporary workers allow employers to lock in workers at a reduced rate for short-term contracts, which can help address some economic uncertainty. Business owners will have to plan for unexpected labor issues as they arise and revise their business strategies to speak to ongoing uncertainty.

Staffing Solutions in Canada

Temporary workforces can also address upcoming labor reform tied to the PRO Act. What is expected to be one of the most significant labor reforms in the United States in well over 100 years will grant workers increased power in labor negotiations and union formation. Many business owners should expect further challenges regarding worker’s rights, especially if they employ unionized labor.

Temporary labour is called to a job site in Alberta.

Many employers are advised to plan for upcoming labor disruptions and secure a workforce before issues arise from the PRO Act. The results of the PRO Act could be the formation of new unions that will have the power to strike and walk off the job with little notice. Further, many of the anti-union efforts that employers have implemented could result in extensive fines, leaving them to work with unions to revise their offerings. Temporary workforces can offer a reprieve from complex labor negotiations and help address demand while unions and employers work out their differences. Agencies of all kinds can speak to the needs of many different industries, facilitating temporary, both skilled and unskilled labor, quickly and efficiently.

The Role of Staffing Services During Emergencies and Natural Disasters

Temporary workforces can also address emergencies and work stoppages attributed to natural disasters such as floods and pandemics. While business owners remain focused on potential labor disputes and shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic proved that corporations of any size, both big and small, must plan for the unexpected. Ongoing business continuity planning paired with temporary labor allows any business to maintain its supply chain and meet demand even throughout a complicated pandemic or natural disaster.

Temporary Labor Solutions Offered by AFIMAC

AFIMAC continues to be recognized as the industry leader in temporary work solutions for corporations across multiple industries. AFIMAC can address complications related to strikes, labor negotiations, walk-offs, or absenteeism among your workforce. AFIMAC maintains a directory of highly skilled laborers for long-term strikes or shortages and can assist with any complicated labor negotiations as they arise.

Temporary workers provide a solution to challenges related to your supply chain and help ease absenteeism issues that have arisen post-pandemic. Should your business experience labor shortages or any other economic uncertainty, AFIMAC can offer AFIMAC provides Canadian contingent labor solutions while helping navigate challenges with union negotiations and strikes.

Updated January 5th, 2024: Temporary labour in both Canada and the United States remains in short demand, with many industries, especially construction and manufacturing, simply unable to recruit and retain staff. AFIMAC prides itself on its incredibly wide offering of human resources capable of supporting any employer, even healthcare entities, as they fend off critical labor shortages. Bring labor from beyond the immediate job site and address the complexities of North America’s labor shortages in 2024 and beyond.

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