Which Temp agency?? About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

I've been going back and fourth about this. My knowledge of temp agencies is a place where you work hard for your money but they take out most of it in fees. This happened to a friend of mine and even though it was years ago, it makes me very leary of trying one. We need the money to pay bills, buy groceries, etc - I don't want some company that doesn't offer anything except a reduced paycheck because they're helping us. There are lots of temp jobs out there (and a lot with big temp agencies that are nation wide) that I've noticed and in my other thread it was mentioned that maybe we should try one. So I'm asking you guys to give me any and all info that you have so if we decide to go that route that we do having all the information. And please be brutally honest - if a company stinks, tell me. If they keep all your pay for whatever reason, tell me.

TIA

[MelissaL]

It's been many years since I worked as a temp (for Olsten and Adecco) but I don't remember having any fees deducted. Yes, my pay was less than it would have been if I had a job directly with the companies I worked at because the temp agency did take a cut, but the agency quoted me an hourly rate when they offered each assignment, and that's what I received (minus taxes). My current employer has used temps from Kelly Services, I think, and the workers seemed pleased with the agency.

Good luck,
Melissa

[minemoz1]

My cousin used one to get his current job. He had a hard time trying to get a job as he doesn't have the greatest social skills, but is a reliable, hard worker. It got his foot in the door and the company hired him full time when a position became available after several months.

[Tigger71]

Most temp. agencies over here get their commission from the employer. This is to avoid the employer using the temp agency to 'trial' staff.

[RobinKay6573]

I have worked for several temp agencies in the past. The employer pays the fees NOT the employee. They are a good "jumping off" point for a worker. Some agencies specialize in labor (skilled and other wise) and some specialize in office work. Most will require some sort of testing. When I lived in Vermont during my divorce I worked for several temp agencies. I had jobs that lasted anywhere from a day to months. You need to keep the lines of communcations open...keep calling. If there is not work call in the afternoon....call the next morning...keep calling until they find you something. I didn't have a car but I did have office/computer experinces so I got quite a bit of work. I don't remember a week when I didn't have work at all. Most of the jobs will pay pretty well... more then minimum wage. My current job I got through a temp agency. they hired me on to staff after 3 months...i am celebrating my 10 year anniversary this year!!

[Huntermom]

Way back in the day, I was a "Kelly Girl" during breaks from school and summers. I also did it briefly after college and got offered a job but also had the opportunity to work in my chosen field, so I left the temp agency. I think I worked around 4 months. it was nice because when the job I wanted came up, I was able to leave easily after a few months and it wasn't seen as a job change.

We are in a very high tech area and I know a few emgineers who do temp work all the time-it pays better because there are no benefits (in most cases the wife has a job with benefits). I also know that Fed-ex uses temp workers quite a bit.

You can ask who pays the fees. I have always paid been in employee paid positions.

You should go through the phone book, call the ones that seem to hire people with Lenny's skill and then decide where to sign up.

My ex went through Addecco a couple of times when he was unemployed and had no problems with them.

A little piece of advice-go directly to the source. You can't rely on people's "war stories". I went to the Mass. Unemployment website and there's lots of information on it. Most consistent with what other posters have said. If Lenny is inelible to get unemployment, it may be because of his second job dependig on how much he makes. If you need the site, I can find it again, but it came up right away on a search.

[Belle*]

I used to run a PrideStaff office and our fees were charged directly to the hiring company, not the employee. So, for example, if a Data Entry temp was making $10, the client company paid $15. All payroll, taxes, etc. were paid by us as the temp was officially our employee. Our office specialized in Admin and Data entry temp and temp to hire positions. Once you had worked a set number of hours for our company, you could qualify for both health and retirement benefits.

I am familiar with Addecco, Kelly and Manpower. All of them work in a way similar to Pridestaff.

[HiddenMickey]

I got my job (been here 21 years now) through a temp agency (a local one). The fees were definitely paid by my company. I got a weekly paycheck based on the hours I worked at a bit more than minimum wage. I had to keep temping for 10 weeks before they could hire me on from the temp agency. We also found several other employees that way.

I would highly recommend trying one out. Good luck.

[CinderAbby]

Okay, thanks guys. Two of the agencies that keep coming up are Adecco and Kelly - which I looked up briefly and noticed that they do have A LOT of offices. There has been a third one but they have all of 2 offices and maybe it's the smaller unknown people who do the funny stuff (that's the kind my friend went through years ago - a one office type of place). So I think what I'm going to do today is instead of automatically skipping over those jobs which I admit I've been doing - but only because of my friends experience - I'll actually stop and look at them for Lenny and have him check it out if something is suitable for him.

[MMMD]

Temping is a good way to get a permanent job. Eons ago when I was an office manager I would hire a temp that had already been working for us and doing a great job.

Good luck!!!

[eff051102]

I got 2 jobs by working temp that lasted 6 years and 4 years. The company that
hired me paid the temp agency directly and does charge more so the company was
really wanting to hire me so they could stop paying the agency. I had the option of
when and where I wanted to work but mostly I worked 5 days a week. I never
had any issues and was paid on time.

[Cheriemek]

I am employed now (just had my 13th anniversary) because I started as an IT consultant (kind of like a temp - the company had the ability to hire you as a staff memeber at any time). For me it was a great way to get back into the work force after many years as a SAHM.

[denwol]

I've also looked into temping again (I did it after college as well), because I can only work during the school year, and not during spring or Christmas breaks......With temping the jobs will only last a certain number of weeks and I don't have to feel guilty about not working summers.

[scottjs]

I have worked for Manpower years ago and had no problems with pay!!! But do be careful --these days who knows???