What Is an On-demand Workforce? Guide for Small Businesses
This article is part of a larger series on Hiring.
An on-demand workforce is a group of people who can be hired as and when needed—sometimes beginning work the same day. They can be a solution if you’re just getting started, need administrative support, or require technical expertise to help you get a project across the finish line. Small businesses often use on-demand staffing agencies to locate employees, independent contractors, and freelancers. They can help your small business hire faster for both routine and complex work.
On-demand Workforce vs Other Worker Classifications
On-demand staffing isn’t the answer for every situation. If you need to fill a position for several months to cover someone out on medical leave, you may want to hire a temporary employee instead, as on-demand staffing works best to fill small, quick gaps.
There are several types of workers you can hire. Here’s a quick breakdown of each type.
On-demand Workforce | Traditional Employees | Temporary Employees | Freelance Workers | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Time to Hire | Same-day is possible | Depends on position, can be months | Usually filled in less than a week | Varies |
Overhead | Covered by on-demand staffing agency | Payroll, taxes, benefits, insurance, etc. | Covered by temporary staffing agency | Flat rate paid to worker |
Cost to Company | Flat rate paid to on-demand staffing agency for each hour worked | Most expensive | High hourly rates to cover staffing agency overhead | Negotiated case by case |
Control over Worker | Limited, unless directed via on-demand staffing agency | Complete control over daily tasks and when and how the employee works | Complete control, as long as directed through staffing agency | Almost none since they’re an independent contractor |
Click through the tabs below to learn more about your options.
Where to Find On-demand Workers
Hiring employees can be a laborious process, especially for small businesses without a dedicated HR team. On-demand staffing seeks to reduce the time and effort required to make the right hire by giving you quick access to workers who fit your needs.
Your best place to find on-demand workers and ensure compliance with employment and classification laws is to use an on-demand staffing agency. You can also look for on-demand workers yourself. Click through the tabs below to see your options.
Legal Considerations
Again, on-demand workers are not your direct employees—they are employees of the on-demand staffing agency, so it covers payroll and directs the worker on when and how to work. It’s very easy to cross this line, so make sure you speak with an employment attorney to help you stay compliant.
Misclassification of a worker can lead to costly fines and penalties. You could be on the hook for back pay, overtime, and payroll taxes for both the worker and your company, along with other government fines. This is why when you’re looking for an on-demand worker, it’s often best to use an on-demand staffing agency to help you fill your immediate need. It can reduce some of your risk by providing you with a worker for a limited time while maintaining compliance with employment laws.
Industries That Benefit From On-demand Staffing
On-demand staffing often works best and most effectively in industries with short-notice shifts. These often include:
- Construction
- Retail
- Restaurant
- Hospitality
- Cleaning
- Warehousing
- Healthcare
However, any company in any industry can utilize on-demand staffing. If you run a small business and need an administrative assistant or a delivery driver for a day or week, you could use an on-demand staffing agency to quickly fill your need.
Bottom Line
Because small businesses often have difficulties hiring and retaining talent, especially for mundane work, on-demand staffing can be a great option. Having an on-demand workforce benefits your company and the workers, as you get to have quick and easy access to skilled workers who can help you fill in a gap, and they get to choose how much work they take on.
Regardless of whether a worker is one of the millions of people still unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic or is just looking for part-time or seasonal work to fill gaps in their working hours, you will benefit from their varying skill levels and skill sets. If your small business needs help now, an on-demand workforce may be your solution.