|
|
Post by cathyb on Oct 8, 2022 3:15:58 GMT
I am retired and started working part time at a place I always wanted to work at for fun. It has been great, but their idea of part time is 40 hours a week and you cannot get weekends off. I still want the part time work but need more flexibility. For those who have worked for temp agencies, was it worth it? Can you tell me how it works?
Thanks
More info....
I work at the "happiest place on earth" in my dream bucket list job. But it dawned on me that I don't want to be the next time I travel out of state to visit my family, it will be for my parents funeral. A person literally cannot get weekends or holidays off unless tou have been there forever. I want/could use the extra money to achieve some goals but it isn't necessary to make ends meet. That is why I was thinking temp agencies might be a good idea but I do want weekends off to attend my DS's competitions.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Oct 8, 2022 3:43:56 GMT
That definitely does not sound like a "part-time" job! Is there anyway you can get your hours reduced since it is a place you like?
We hire temps at my workplace. They are under contract for up to a year. I don't know why we only keep them for one-year. Some do try to get a permanent job before their contract is up. Your pay, and any benefits, comes from the temp agency, not the company you are working at. Most temps do not get paid for any company holidays. As a temp worker, you are allowed to quit just like a regular employee. Your hours are part of your contract, so you can tell the temp agency what hours you are available. But this may also limit the number of jobs you get interviewed for.
I think it is both good and bad. You are not stuck at one place if you don't like it. But, you are also kind of an outsider in a way. It is up to the boss, but I've seen temps both invited and not invited to Company events.
Hope you find the job you want!
|
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 8, 2022 4:01:35 GMT
I worked for temp agency several times when I was still working. I enjoyed it and gained insight into industries I wouldn’t have otherwise. The flexibility is a big plus. I was able to set parameters on where/when I worked. Some jobs were a few days, others would last a few weeks. More than once I was offered a full time job. Never really had any negative experiences that I remember.
|
|
|
|
Post by Skellinton on Oct 8, 2022 5:17:21 GMT
I did once, but it was forever ago, so I don't have any advice for that.
Do you have any interest in childcare? At a center they wouldn't be open weekends and around here they are desperate for employees. Most of the jobs available here are just part time because they need people to assist the lead teachers.
|
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Oct 8, 2022 14:38:15 GMT
Back in the day, I worked for temp agencies every summer (I was a teacher). I signed up with 2 agencies so that I had a job almost every day. I went to the agency and they tested my office skills. Since I am in Dallas, I specified which part of the city I was willing to drive to, so that I was not offered a job in an area an hour's drive away. When the agency had a job that fit me, I was called an offered the position: We have a job in this part of the city paying xx. Do you want it? Sometimes I would know it was for multiple days. One summer I was offered a job that was supposed to be for 3 days. They liked me and kept me for the entire summer to cover vacations for various people.
I hated filing so tried to decline those jobs. Once I rejected a filing job and they called back offering me more money if I would do it. (3 days in a huge filing room, not another person in there and filing all day long).
It may all be different these days, IDK. |
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,687
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Oct 8, 2022 15:18:20 GMT
What about substitute teaching? Or, if you’re not qualified for teaching you could sub for paraprofessionals. The pay isn’t great but you could work as much or as little as you want.
(My temp agency experience is outdated by decades)
|
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Oct 8, 2022 15:21:34 GMT
What about substitute teaching? Or, if you’re not qualified for teaching you could sub for paraprofessionals. The pay isn’t great but you could work as much or as little as you want. (My temp agency experience is outdated by decades) Around here the paraprofessionals at school rarely had subs. The time they did have subs it was because the para was needed for special skills for a SE classroom.
|
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Oct 8, 2022 15:30:44 GMT
I work as bag checker/security type thing at a local university for sports and other events. I tell them which events I can work and that is all I get scheduled for. If you are in Orlando, perhaps UCF. If in California, maybe their local college? The same premises holds true for the local minor league teams and it was true for Pepsi Center way back when it first opened and I worked there.
I am like you. I don't mind working an extra job, but I don't want a second full time job and I want to be able to work when I want to, not just when they want me tol
|
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Oct 8, 2022 15:31:39 GMT
What about substitute teaching? Or, if you’re not qualified for teaching you could sub for paraprofessionals. The pay isn’t great but you could work as much or as little as you want. (My temp agency experience is outdated by decades) Around here the paraprofessionals at school rarely had subs. The time they did have subs it was because the para was needed for special skills for a SE classroom.
If we had people who would sub for our paras, we would absolutely use them here. We just don't have anybody who wants to do it. |
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,687
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Oct 8, 2022 15:43:42 GMT
What about substitute teaching? Or, if you’re not qualified for teaching you could sub for paraprofessionals. The pay isn’t great but you could work as much or as little as you want. (My temp agency experience is outdated by decades) Around here the paraprofessionals at school rarely had subs. The time they did have subs it was because the para was needed for special skills for a SE classroom.
We *always* have subs (if we can find someone that is) for our paras. We might go without in the office or library or something but our kiddos that have a one-on-one absolutely need someone and the paras that have less intense kids help cover lunch breaks so they needs subs too. |
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,667 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Oct 8, 2022 16:03:36 GMT
I temped often between gigs when I was a performer. I had a couple of long-term assignments, and I had several job offers (I took one once, and quickly realized it was a terrible deal for me - luckily, I got a gig and quit).
I have no idea how the agencies are nowadays, but when I was doing it, I only took jobs I knew I could complete, e.g. if I took a M-F job for a month, I would not ask for a day off in that month (illness is obviously an exception). Often, I would get "extended" if the company liked me, and then I would tell them I'd be happy to stay, as long as they understood that I would occasionally need to take a day off.
At your current job, decide what you NEED. Is it weekends off (but you're happy to work holidays)? Or do you just need the occasional weekend day off? When you decide what you need, go to HR and say that. You may find that they suddenly can find the flexibility for you - or maybe not. The ability to quit can be a powerful thing.
Another suggestion is to quit your current job, and offer to "temp" there - if they have someone out sick, they may be glad to have someone trained and experienced to fill in.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisae on Oct 8, 2022 21:48:56 GMT
I worked for an agency several years ago. The pay wasn't that great at that time but I imagine it is better now. It was all office work, 8-5. Sometimes they would need someone for a full week at a time and sometimes it was a project and you could pick your days. Unfortunately the 2008 recession came along and the work dried up.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:26 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2022 22:08:04 GMT
Hmmm...Happiest place on earth? Have you considered being a Smart Moms Travel Agent? I have nothing to do with them other than I follow them on Instagram and it seems like a good group and a good job that can fit into your life/schedule.
|
|
|
|
Post by dualmaestra on Oct 9, 2022 22:11:49 GMT
I am retired and started working part time at a place I always wanted to work at for fun. It has been great, but their idea of part time is 40 hours a week and you cannot get weekends off. I still want the part time work but need more flexibility. For those who have worked for temp agencies, was it worth it? Can you tell me how it works? Thanks More info.... I work at the "happiest place on earth" in my dream bucket list job. But it dawned on me that I don't want to be the next time I travel out of state to visit my family, it will be for my parents funeral. A person literally cannot get weekends or holidays off unless tou have been there forever. I want/could use the extra money to achieve some goals but it isn't necessary to make ends meet. That is why I was thinking temp agencies might be a good idea but I do want weekends off to attend my DS's competitions. Oh no! That is my dream job when I retire from teaching too! I haven't worked for a temp agency for almost 20 years. Back then, it all depended on the jobs they had. I mostly worked in offices, so no weekends. Some jobs were a couple of days, some a couple of weeks. Some all summer (that's when I temped). Good luck. |
|
rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,185
|
Post by rickmer on Oct 10, 2022 23:19:49 GMT
i worked in staffing industry for about 14 yrs before kids and have been back in the biz for last 2 yrs. many companies specialize in certain work (picker/packer, office, light industrial) so make sure you ask what type of jobs they hire for. we used to meet people for in person interviews/assessments but it's pretty common for it all to be online now.
you tell them what you are available for, short term only, flex to short or long term, mon-fri only, etc. if they feel like they have work that matches your requirements, they would bring you on board. you are never obligated to accept any assignment, but if you turn down everything, ppl will naturally be less inclined to offer work to you.
pay is by staffing company, vacation pay/stat pay (not sure how that works in states but in canada staffing company associates, they are no longer called "temps", this would all be paid by employer, not customer).
pros: can try out some different positions at different companies/industries that you may not have had exposure to, opportunity to learn new skills on the job, very little office politics, there is a beginning/middle/end if you don't love it.
cons: hard to be new all the time, as others mentioned, not always included in company events, assignments ending when you actually do love it since if any budgets, you will be first one to go.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,832
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Oct 11, 2022 1:49:11 GMT
I worked for a temp agency in my early 20s. It was in the summers between semesters. I did it I think 2 summers. I enjoyed it. The first summer most assignments were a day or two at most. Some were a few more days longer. I did have one that was several weeks. I remember when the person in charge there pulled me into her office to let me know they really didn't have anything else for me. She really wanted to keep me there but just didn't have anything else for me to do. Then the next summer, I got an assignment that was temp assignment but was long term. Ironically, that launched my career in the field I am in now, insurance. I worked as temp in claims that summer. I was offered a full time position. I turned it down but then went to work for their law firm for 2 years. Then went back to claims and stayed there for 6 years until I had dd.
Anyways, I really enjoyed my time with the temp agency. I did a variety of jobs. I was able to learn some skills. I didn't have to work when I didn't want to and I didn't work weekends. One of my assignments that I got often was the food sampling at Costco. But then I also got a lot of data entry and office type work too.
|
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Oct 11, 2022 2:53:29 GMT
I forgot to mention--back when I was working, one summer the temp assignment turned into an all summer long assignment. Somehow the 3 regular office staff learned what the temp agency paid me and were annoyed that it was more than they received per hour.
|
|
