Extra Staff
Introduction
Hiring extra staff can benefit any organization in several ways. It can ensure the timely completion of tasks, increase productivity, boost the level of customer service, and improve employee morale. However, the decision to hire extra staff should not be taken lightly, as there are both advantages and disadvantages to it. In this article, we will explore the importance of hiring extra staff for an organization and provide insights into some of the pros and cons of this decision.
Why Hire Extra Staff?
When an organization experiences growth, it is essential to have enough staff to match the pace of this development. The following are some of the reasons why an organization may need to hire extra staff:
Accommodating Increased Workloads
As the organization grows, the workload increases. Every employee has a limited amount of time and energy to give to their job. If employees are overworked, they will become stressed, which can lead to mistakes, absenteeism, and even turnover. Multiply this overworked situation by several staff members, and an organization can easily find itself in a productivity slump. Hiring extra staff to distribute the workload can alleviate stress from individual employees and ultimately increase efficiency.
Seasonal Fluctuations
Many organizations experience fluctuations in workloads during different seasons. A prime example is retailers who experience a heavy influx of business during the holiday season. However, the demands of consumers may decline abruptly afterward, leaving the business with excess inventory and fewer customers. A year-round staff could quickly become overwhelmed during peak periods, and hiring extra staff is necessary to ensure smooth operations during these fluctuations.
Skill and Knowledge Gaps
As an organization grows, they may find that they need access to certain skills or knowledge that is not currently present among their staff. Hiring extra staff can help fill those gaps. Without these additional skills and knowledge, the organization may suffer from a disadvantage to competitors possessing those skills.
The Pros of Hiring Extra Staff
Hiring extra staff can bring several benefits to your organization. They include:
Increased Productivity
With additional staff, the workload becomes less taxing on individual employees. This lower workload creates an opportunity for employees to improve and enhance their productivity, which can, in turn, increase the organization’s overall output.
Improved Quality of Work
Overworking employees can lead to mistakes and lower-quality work. By having enough staff, there is more time devoted to each task, resulting in higher-quality work.
Enhanced Customer Experience
Hiring additional employees can improve customer experience by reducing wait times and providing higher levels of customer service. With more hands on deck, service can become more personalized, and customers can receive more attention, improving satisfaction.
Reduced Cost
Initially, it may seem like hiring extra staff can lead to increased costs. However, when one considers the expense associated with paying overtime to current staff or paying for expedited service from contractors, hiring extra staff can come in cheaper over time. Additionally, the time employees take-off, and the number of sick days can decrease, as there is lower stress and burnout from overworking staff.
Employee Morale
Overworking employees can cause burnout and a lack of enthusiasm for their jobs. However, by maintaining a sufficient number of staff, employee morale can improve, leading to greater job satisfaction and higher retention rates.
The Cons of Hiring Extra Staff
While hiring extra staff has several advantages, there are also a few potential downsides to keep in mind. These are:
Increased Costs
Hiring extra staff equates to additional compensation, benefits, training costs, and other expenses. This means that an organization needs to budget carefully to ensure it doesn’t adversely affect profitability.
Training Requirements
Newly-hired employees require adequate training to perform their roles satisfactorily. If the organization deems it necessary to hire many employees at once, this can result in a strain on existing staff, as they may need to devote their time and resources to training new hires.
Initial Redundant Period
When hiring extra staff, there will be an adjustment period before the efficiency of operations is felt. During this time, there may be duplication of duties between employees as new hires get up to speed. The redundancy period can lead to increased costs and potential frustration among employees.
Factors to Consider When Hiring Extra Staff
In deciding to bring more staff onboard, an organization should consider multiple factors to determine what would be required of the new hires. The following factors should be kept in mind when making this decision:
Workload and Job Duties:
An organization should assess the level of work involved and any particular skills required for the job. By assessing this need, the organization can hire suitable staff who can handle the workload effectively.
Budget:
An organization should assess its finances carefully before hiring new staff. It’s important to have a sense of what financial resources would be required to pay the new hires, provide benefits, and training.
Timing:
An organization should consider the right time to hire new employees and look for seasonal trends to mitigate financial risks.
Recruiting:
An organization should have an excellent recruitment plan. It should include procedures for advertising the jobs, interview processes, and hiring considerations.
Conclusion
Hiring extra staff can benefit an organization in several ways, including improved productivity, customer experience, and enhanced quality of work. Employers will need to consider the timing of hiring, job roles, employee budget, and recruitment strategies carefully. Though it can be challenging to predict the costs and benefits of hiring, the bottom line is that a well-calculated consideration and led hiring process can lead to happier employees, more satisfied customers, and a stronger bottom line.
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