Adams & Garth Blog

As one of the leading staffing agencies in Central Virginia, we know that making the transition from co-worker to boss isn’t always easy. But there are some steps you can take to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Here’s a look at six of them:

Step 1. Understand your role has changed.

It can be hard to swallow if all of a sudden your former co-workers aren’t including you in conversations or activities. But you have to accept that they no longer can relate to you in the same way because you are their boss. This may take some getting used to, but don’t take it personally. It’s simply an inevitable part of your promotion.

Step 2. But don’t change who you are.

Just because you’re in charge now doesn’t mean you need to rule with an iron fist. Nor does it mean you should start kowtowing to former co-workers because you still want to remain friends. Be who you are and take a balanced approach to supervising.

Step 3. Be clear about expectations.

Call a staff meeting as soon as possible and let your new team know what you expect from them as a whole. You may also want to hold private meetings to discuss individual expectations with each of your employees, or with key players, depending on how large your team is.

Step 4. Nip issues in the bud early on.

It may be those who you are closest with who give you the most trouble. They may have a hard time taking you seriously as a boss, or they may think they can get away with more since you’re friends. Deal with these issues immediately by making it clear that the rules are the same for everyone, regardless of your relationship.

Step 5. Communicate often.

Always keep the lines of communication open. Let your former co-workers know that you have an open door policy and they can come to talk to you whenever necessary. It may take some time for them to feel comfortable doing so, but they will eventually come around if you’re patient and consistent in your communication efforts.

Step 6. Make changes in small doses.

Change can be hard for many employees to accept, especially if it’s swift and significant. So if you plan on implementing changes, do so in smaller doses, if possible. Your employees will be less resistant if it doesn’t seem like everything is changing at one time.

And if any of your planned changes include adding new employees to the mix, contact one of the top staffing agencies in Central Virginia – Adams & Garth – to help you get the job done and impress your boss. We can partner with you to:

• Create a strategic staffing plan
• Provide access to qualified direct hire talent, as well as skilled temporary and temp-to-hire workers
• Trim staffing costs and take the hassle out of hiring along the way

Learn more about staffing your company wisely >

Could your business benefit from a more flexible workforce? For many Central Virginia companies, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

The fact of the matter is that using temporary employees is a great way to improve productivity, manage increases in workload, and cover for any sick or vacation time that your full-time employees may take – all without increasing your fixed expenses.

So how can you maximize the efficiency and productivity of your temporary employees? The following tips can help:

Tip #1: Determine the required skills.
Meet with managers and those who will be working with the temporary employee to determine which skills are ideal for the position you are trying to fill. You’ll also want to develop a list of duties and responsibilities for the temporary employee. This information will help your staffing agency find the best possible person for you.

Tip #2: Work with a staffing agency that has experience in your industry.
Not only will an experienced staffing agency know where to look to find the right person, but they will also be able to help you determine things like an appropriate pay rate for a particular position.

Tip #3: Prepare an orientation guide.
Include information such as working hours, breaks and lunch schedules, any safety regulations or company rules, and contact information for direct supervisors. You may also want to assign a core staff member or supervisor to help orient the temporary employee.

Tip #4: Use any orientation information provided by your staffing agency.
Many staffing agencies can offer some insightful guidance on how to best bring temporary employees up to speed so they can hit the ground running.

Tip #5: Open the lines of communication.
Encourage the temporary employee to ask questions and make sure they know who to direct those questions to – whether it’s you or one of your managers.

Tip #6: Monitor progress regularly.
Be sure to monitor the progress of your temporary employee frequently to ensure they’re on top of the job.

Bringing a temporary employee on board at your company can offer a host of benefits – as long as that employee is managed properly. And you never know. They may even become a great candidate for a full-time opening.

If you’re interested in hiring temporary employees or just want to learn more about how temporary employees can help your company, contact Adams & Garth. As Central Virginia’s leading staffing agency, we can deliver the flexible staff you need without increasing your permanent workforce. You can learn more about our temporary staffing services here.

Sick of reading through hundreds of resumes from unqualified candidates?

Not finding employees with the skills and work ethic you require?

Make a bad hiring decision that ended up costing you?

Don’t have time to recruit and hire high quality employees?

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then it may be time to take the plunge and hire a staffing agency. But not all staffing agencies are created equal. So before you make the big move, be sure to take the right steps.

Step 1: Do your homework.

Asking colleagues which Central Virginia staffing agencies they’ve used in the past is a great place to start. Once you have some names of potential staffing agencies, research each company on the Internet.

Also, be sure to choose staffing agencies that work in your industry. Even if a particular agency gets a glowing review from a friend, if that firm focuses on IT staffing, and you’re a manufacturing company, then odds are it won’t be a great match.

Step 2: Ask lots of questions.

Once you’ve narrowed your list down, meet with a representative from each agency before choosing one. Ask questions like how they qualify candidates, how their fee structure works, how much experience they have in your industry, and what happens if you’re not satisfied with an employee they’ve sent your way.

Step 3: Be clear about your requirements.

Let the agency know exactly what you’ll need in terms of hiring requirements, whether it’s direct hire employees, temporary workers, or a mix of both. If you have any unique requirements, such as federal or state background checks, tell the agency upfront. If they can’t meet your needs, then it’s time to move on.

Step 4: Get references.

Just like you’d ask for references from a potential employee, be sure to ask for references from a staffing agency. And make sure you give each reference a call before you take the final step in hiring an agency. A second opinion from a company that’s worked with the staffing agency in the past is priceless.

Hiring the right employees can be tricky. Hiring the right staffing agency can seem impossible. But if you take the right steps – and ask the right questions – you’re sure to find a staffing agency well suited for your company.

If you’d like to put Adams & Garth on your list of potential staffing agencies in Central Virginia, then please contact us immediately. We’re happy to meet with you to discuss our staffing services and how we can best meet your needs.