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Top tips for keeping your contractors happy

The process of sourcing the right contractors for your organisation is never an easy one, with the overall costs almost always surpassing budget expectations. It is therefore vital that businesses do their very best to retain the Independent Professionals (otherwise known as IPros) they have found. So how do you ensure that your contractors are happy and satisfied whilst working with your organisation? We asked our own Customer Solutions Directors to compile a list of the best tips to help you get the most out of your contract workers, while also creating a working environment that will make them want to stay.

  1. A clear communication strategy

From the outset, it is important to create open lines of communication between your business and your contractor. A clear plan for the duration of the contract, as well as a succession plan for the period following the contract ending, will be the key to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship from the beginning. Take advantage of the services offered by your Contractor Management organisation. They can help you implement a communication strategy that is suitable for the engagement structure and will address any issues which may arise along the way. This might take the form of setting periodical project update meetings (if appropriate to the situation) to help your contractor feel valued and informed. It can also help to clarify company expectations for the project.

  1. Acknowledgement of a job well done

Similar to a permanent employee, top performing contractors appreciate being validated and praised for any outstanding contributions to the business. Although a contractor may not expect this, it would serve to create goodwill between the two parties. It always feels great to be appreciated, and contractors are people who work hard and like to have their work recognised too. A good contractor experience is an important part of establishing a pool of talent that your business can utilise for other projects that may come up.

  1. Access to a Contingent Worker HR Representative

Whether the HR representative works for your business or is a person allocated by a contingent workforce management company, it is important that your contract worker has access to someone who can ensure their HR requirements are met. Contractors should have a designated point of contact for any HR issues such as harassment, occupational health and safety and conflict resolution.

  1. A contractor web portal with full visibility

It is very helpful to provide your contractors with a web portal that allows them to view information about their contracts, submit timesheets, retrieve pay advice along with any other relevant compliance information. This can usually be supplied by the contractor management company you have elected to work with.

  1. Provide access to professional development opportunities where possible

In this competitive market, an organisation hoping to attract and retain talent should look to provide additional offerings to their contractors. A great way to attract talent is to provide pathways to opportunities for contractors to expand their skill set. The transient nature of a contract worker’s career dictates that their professional development activities always remain high on their list of priorities. Your organisation would also benefit from working with contractors whose skills are highly sought after and up to date, ensuring that you stay on the cutting edge of your industry. This will cement the strong relationship you have built with your IPros, giving them an extra reason to come back to your business on other projects when their contract draws to a close.
These tips were designed to help your business build trust and establish a good rapport with the contractors you engage, thus creating a positive image for the company. This is essential for a business wishing to attract contractors with the best skills and expand their talent pool. Improving your contractors’ experience of your company will provide them with an incentive to return for future projects, giving you a strong competitive edge. Ensuring these main elements are in place will assist you in maintaining healthy, productive relationships with your contract workers and your business will be in a good position for future projects.
Entity Solutions can assist your business with any of your Contingent Workforce Management needs. To find out more about our services, please contact Entity Solutions on (03) 9600 0333 or via email at enquiries@entitysolutions.com.au.

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