Benefits of temping

As a job seeker in today's marketplace, temporary work offers you an alternative to a permanent position, allowing you to advance your career in a flexible way, suited to your personal circumstances.

The benefits of temping

• Flexibility.
• Exposure to different types of products offered.
• The ability to work in a variety of industries, or focus your sector.
• Greater exposure to different types of management styles and clients.
• Opportunity to broaden or deepen your skill base.

Definition of temporary work

Different industries refer to temping in different ways; often it is also referred to as 'freelancing'. In general terms, a temporary worker is someone who is engaged by a company on a non-fixed term basis. The temporary worker's salary is usually calculated on an hourly or daily rate and is paid through the Page Personnel/ PageGroup payroll. No notice period is required to terminate temporary assignments by either party.

Reasons companies need temporary staff

Companies engage people on a temporary basis for many reasons including the following.

• To cover for maternity leave or other absences.
• During particularly busy periods of the year. 
• Assistance with special projects.
• To analyse a temporary worker's performance with a view to permanent employment.

Issues to consider

Whatever your reasons for entering into temporary work, there are many issues to consider.

1. Holiday entitlement

The European Working Time Directive stipulates that all temporary workers should receive a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid leave per annum. Page Personnel pays holiday pay, along with standard hourly pay from the beginning of each assignment to all PAYE temporary workers.

2. Tax and National Insurance

Page Personnel will deduct PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax and National Insurance (NI) from your salary automatically. If you are working in the UK for the first time you will need to complete a P46 and apply for an NI number. You can obtain a P46 from your consultant.

To apply for an NI number, contact the Department of Social Security on 020 7712 2171, which will inform you of their nearest office. We strongly recommend that you obtain an NI number, as this registers your eligibility for state benefits, including free hospital and doctors’ services.

If you wish to work through a limited company, we recommend that you seek independent, professional advice regarding the set up and operation of such a company. This is particularly important in the light of the government's anti-tax avoidance legislation, IR35. For further information on IR35, visit the HMRC website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm.

3. How to stay in work

Professionalism and the maintenance of excellent relations with your consultant and our clients are the crucial factors to ensure a steady stream of temping jobs.

Update your consultant on your availability and any changes to your personal details, such as address, phone numbers and email. Also, keep your CV up-to-date with newly-acquired experience and skills learnt.

4. Visa requirements

To be considered for temporary/contract roles, you must have the right to work in the UK. If you are not a British, EC or EEA national, we shall reject your application unless you have secured, or are eligible for, a UK visa. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you secure sponsorship through a UK company.

If you are unsure about your visa status for the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa for further information.

Find out how temp jobs can develop your career.