Office–Clerical and Administrative Frequently Asked Questions for Staffing Clients

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  • Why would a company choose to partner with an office–clerical and administrative staffing firm?

    Businesses say that workforce flexibility is an important reason to work with staffing firms because it allows them to remain fully staffed during busy times. Whether it’s a temporary job lasting a few months or several years—or a temporary-to-hire placement—staffing companies allow businesses to adjust their workforces to meet their changing needs.

    Partnering with a staffing firm can be a powerful business strategy for a company. Businesses can “audition” candidates to ensure they are perfect fits for positions. Staffing firms also are experts at recruiting. They build strong professional relationships with their clients so that they can predict—and fulfill—staffing needs before their customers anticipate them. Staffing firms have the expertise to find the best candidates for client needs, and afford companies the flexibility to address skills shortages or fluctuating demand.

    Working with a staffing firm allows you to focus on your core business while your staffing firm partner works to find the best candidate for any job openings.

  • What positions can my company fill using a staffing firm?

    Office–clerical and administrative staffing firms place general office clerks, receptionists, administrative assistants, call center staff, data entry (operators), executive assistants, cashiers, accounting support, and other administrative employees.

  • Is it possible for me to hire one of the temporary employees that a staffing firm provided? If so, what is the process?

    Yes. Staffing firms also allow you to hire a temporary or contract employee as a permanent member of your team. This process varies by staffing firm, but a placement fee may be negotiated with a staffing firm to complete the hiring process.

  • What are the benefits of working with an office–clerical and administrative staffing firm?

    Staffing firms remove the burdens of unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation liabilities, and tax issues from clients. Staffing firms serve as business partners to their clients and provide pertinent industry information and updates—particularly related to employment law and worker safety—as the economic, legal, and regulatory landscape continues to evolve.

  • What is the range of services that office–clerical and administrative staffing firms provide?

    Staffing companies in this industry sector provide a spectrum of services—temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire placements—to their clients.

    Responsibilities managed by staffing firms include, but are not limited to, payroll, insurance and other benefits, and workers’ compensation—alleviating human resource-related paperwork challenges for clients and allowing the companies to concentrate on other aspects of their businesses.

    Office–clerical and administrative firms also may conduct skill and software testing to provide qualified candidates for your positions. Additional customized testing and training can be conducted depending on the industry and job requirements.

  • What types of businesses are using office–clerical and administrative staffing services?

    Companies of all sizes—from small, start-up organizations to Fortune 500 corporations—use office–clerical and administrative staffing services to grow their businesses and obtain the flexibility they need to keep fully staffed during busy times—such as during the winter holiday season. Staffing firms provide strategic supplemental workforces, and help companies grow their businesses.

  • Why should I work with an ASA member staffing firm?

    ASA members pledge to adhere to a code of ethics and best practices—most of which deal with employee relations. Moreover, because ASA promotes legal, ethical, and professional practices for the staffing industry, its members are kept abreast of the latest developments in labor and employment laws and human resource best practices. One of the principal missions of the association is to encourage high standards of ethical conduct in dealings with employees, clients, and competitors.

  • How can I find a staffing firm that specializes in the office–clerical and administrative sector?

    To find a staffing firm that specializes in the engineering, IT, and scientific sector, visit the ASA member staffing firm directory on americanstaffing.net.

  • How big is the U.S. staffing industry? How large is the office–clerical and administrative sector?

    Staffing companies employed an average of 3.3 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2015, and over the course of the year, staffing firms hired a total of 15.9 million temporary and contract employees. More than one-quarter of U.S. temporary and contract employees work in the office–clerical and administrative sector.

  • What responsibility does a staffing firm have for the employee placed on my site?

    Day-to-day oversight is typically provided by the client’s on-site supervisor. Responsibilities managed by the staffing firm include payroll, employee evaluation, insurance and other benefits, and workers’ compensation—alleviating human resource-related paperwork challenges for the client and allowing the company to concentrate on other aspects of its business.

  • What are staffing firms doing to ensure the safety of their employees on the job?

    Safety is a top priority for staffing firms and their employees. Staffing firms work with their clients to ensure that temporary employees receive the training they need to work safely during their assignments. Staffing firms provide general staffing training, and site-specific training typically is provided by clients.

    On-the-job worker safety is critically important to ASA staffing firm members. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and ASA recently entered into an alliance to help provide association members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help protect the health and safety of temporary workers. ASA also dedicates a whole section of its website—americanstaffing.net/staffingindustry/safetymatters—to educating staffing firms and clients about critical worker safety considerations.