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Contingent Work

Choosing the Right Contingent Workforce Agency

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the contingent workforce is becoming increasingly vital & selecting the right agency partner to manage this workforce is paramount. 

The right choice can enhance talent quality, streamline operations, and bolster your organisation’s adaptability. Equally, a poor choice can lead to inefficiencies and potential setbacks.

14 Steps to Choosing Your Contingent Workforce Agency

 

1. Communication and Support

  • What kind of customer support do they offer? Is there a dedicated account manager?
  • How often will you receive updates, and what’s their response time to queries?

 

2. Cultural Fit

  • It’s essential to work with an agency that understands your company’s culture and values, ensuring a smooth integration of contingent workers into your organisation.

 

3. Flexibility

  • Are they willing to customise their services to cater to your specific needs?
  • How adaptable are they to changes or unforeseen challenges?

 

4. Scalability

  • Can the agency handle your current needs and also scale up (or down) as your requirements change?

 

5. Reputation and Experience

  • How long have they been in the business? Experience often equates to a refined process and deeper industry insights.
  • Ask for references from current or past clients.

 

6. Specialisation

  • Does the agency have experience in your specific industry or the roles you are seeking?
  • Some agencies specialise in specific sectors, which can be an advantage if you’re in that particular sector.

 

7. Quality of Talent

  • What processes do they use for sourcing, vetting, and onboarding talent?
  • Do they have access to a wide talent pool, or do they rely on a limited network?

 

8. Compliance and Risk Management

  • Ensure they adhere to labor laws, tax regulations, and other compliance issues related to contingent workers.
  • What processes do they have in place to minimise risks associated with contingent labor, such as co-employment risks?

 

9. Cost Structure

  • Understand all associated fees and potential hidden costs.
  • Do they offer a transparent pricing model?

 

10. Technological Capabilities

  • Do they use modern workforce management systems? How about AI-driven talent matching?
  • Can their systems integrate with your HR or procurement platforms?

 

11. Training and Development

  • Do they offer training programs for the contingent workforce to align with your company’s standards and requirements?

 

12. Performance Metrics and Reporting

  • How do they measure and report on the success of their placements?
  • Will they provide regular updates on contingent workforce performance?

 

13. Terms of Engagement

  • Understand the contract terms, especially regarding termination clauses, guarantees, and liabilities.

 

14. Diversity and Inclusion

  • Does the agency have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion? Can they provide a diverse pool of candidates?

Always trust your intuition, even if an agency looks good on paper, you should feel comfortable and confident in your choice.

Building a strong partnership with the right agency will be pivotal in effectively managing and optimising your contingent workforce.


If you’re looking to elevate your contingent hiring processes, CREGG are here to guide and support you every step of the way.

For a confidential discussion on how we can assist your specific needs, don’t hesitate to contact Gemma Prendergast and our team at CREGG.

You can also follow us on LinkedIn for all the latest Irish recruitment industry updates for clients & candidates alike.