Temporary Staffing agencies emerged as a way to support employees in times of economic crisis. Today they are an alternative widely used by companies to fill positions on time. They are usually busy with temporary work, campaigns, or short-term projects. Scion Staffing Seattle, an award-winning agent, and awardee in Seattle acts as an intermediary between job seekers and companies offering job vacancies, temp agency Seattle has become a tool employers increasingly use for jobs. After the selection process, the company temporarily employs workers and then transfers them to the company that has offered the job in the first chain.
Or in other words, the company delegates to a temporary agency in Seattle the selection process for workers with a specific professional profile, even though, in the end, they work for them and not temporarily. To learn more about the concept, let’s review the basic steps of contracting procedures performed by Temporary staffing agencies:
- The company requests the services of Temporary staffing agencies. Generally, it’s about filling jobs that, for internal management reasons or because you don’t have the necessary resources or time, you can’t do.
- Temporary staffing agencies begin selecting personnel to fill positions required by the company. To do this, based on the company’s criteria provided at the time of contacting it. Temporary staffing agencies must select the candidate who best fits these criteria.
- When the Temporary staffing agencies select candidates, they work as if they were the only ones in the organization. He makes a contract according to work and registers it in the Social Security System.
- The worker continues to intervene in the company offering the job early in the process. Although he was contracted by Temporary staffing agencies, his integration into the corporate climate, complementary training, and evaluation was owned by the company that hosted him.
- After the employment contract, which is almost always temporary, the worker leaves the company, and the Temporary staffing agencies in carrying out the procedure for termination of employment.
Other general considerations of Temporary staffing agencies:
The worker is entitled to remuneration equivalent to what he would receive if the company directly employed him. For companies, it is a more expensive procedure. However, these bonuses they pay out are taken advantage of by saving time and resources, which they temporarily delegate to the company. Workers, on a visit, benefit by gaining more work experience and network contacts.
Temporary staffing agencies cannot keep a portion of the employees’ salaries. The only benefit is the one you receive from the company requesting your services to attend and the selection of the required personnel. On some occasions, in addition to selecting and offering offers, Temporary staffing agencies are responsible for providing the necessary training.
Temporary staffing agencies’ contracts are not extraordinary. Instead, they must comply with the norms laid down by the labor law. The most widely used in this model are temporary contracts and contracts of work and services.
Types of Temporary Work Agencies Offer
Temporary staffing agencies place workers in many kinds of jobs. Use the table below to see the main types. The right type depends on your skills and how long you want to work.
| Work type | How long it lasts | Common jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Day labour | One day | Moving, cleaning, event setup |
| Short-term | Days to weeks | Office cover, warehouse work |
| Seasonal | Weeks to months | Retail holidays, harvest work |
| Temp-to-hire | Months, then permanent | Admin, customer service, factory work |
| Contract | Months to a year | IT, engineering, project work |
How Staffing Agencies Make Money
Workers do not pay the agency. The company that hires the worker pays the agency a fee. The fee is usually a markup on the worker’s hourly pay. For example, if the worker earns $20 per hour, the company may pay the agency $30 per hour. The agency keeps the difference to cover its costs, such as recruiting, payroll, and insurance. The agency pays the worker’s wages, taxes, and often benefits such as workers’ compensation. This is why the live body says the agency cannot keep a portion of the employee’s salary. The worker’s pay is agreed in advance. The agency’s fee comes from the company, not from the worker’s pay. Ask the agency what your hourly pay will be before you accept a job. Check your payslip to make sure the hours and pay are correct.
Temp-to-Hire: How a Temporary Job Can Become Permanent
Many companies use temp-to-hire to test a worker before offering a permanent job. The worker starts as a temporary employee of the agency. After a set period, usually 90 days, the company may offer a permanent job. During this time, the company watches the worker’s skills, attendance, and attitude. The worker can also judge the company. If the job suits both sides, the worker becomes a direct employee of the company. Ask the agency how long the trial period is and what the company looks for. Keep a record of your work, such as tasks completed and skills used. Tell your agency if you want a permanent job. The agency can match you with temp-to-hire roles instead of short-term jobs.
Your Rights as a Temporary Worker
Temporary workers have the same basic rights as other workers. In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that temporary workers are entitled to a safe workplace. Both the staffing agency and the host employer share responsibility for safety. The host employer must give safety training for the specific job. The agency must give general safety training. You have the right to know about hazards in the workplace. You have the right to refuse unsafe work. You have the right to report an injury to either the agency or the host employer. If you are injured at work, tell both the agency and the host employer at once. Keep a record of the injury, the date, and who you told. Laws differ by country and state, so check the rules where you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do temporary staffing agencies work?
A company asks the agency to fill a job. The agency selects a worker who fits the company’s needs. The worker is employed by the agency and works at the company. After the contract ends, the worker leaves the company and the agency finds the next job.
Do I have to pay a staffing agency to find me work?
No. Workers do not pay the agency. The company that hires the worker pays the agency a fee. The fee is a markup on your hourly pay, paid by the company, not taken from your wages.
Can a temporary job become permanent?
Yes. Many companies use temp-to-hire. After a trial period, usually around 90 days, the company may offer you a permanent job. Ask the agency how long the trial period is and what the company looks for.
What rights do temporary workers have?
Temporary workers have the same basic rights as other workers. In the US, OSHA states that temporary workers are entitled to a safe workplace, and both the agency and the host employer share responsibility for safety.
What types of jobs do staffing agencies offer?
Agencies offer day labour, short-term cover, seasonal work, temp-to-hire roles, and longer contract jobs. Common jobs include office cover, warehouse work, retail, customer service, IT, and factory work.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general information about temporary staffing agencies. Employment laws differ by country and state and can change. Check the rules where you work or ask a local employment adviser.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026