Are Temporary or Permanent Drivers Better for Your Business?

Have you ever taken a look at your schedule for the week and thought, “How on earth am I going to manage this?” …and then to top it off, a driver calls in sick. On the flip side, maybe business is booming, and you’ve had a surge of deliveries that you need an extra pair of hands (or 10) to haul.

We’ve all been there. Logistical nightmares happen. When it comes to keeping your business moving, you might wonder whether you should hire temporary drivers or build a bigger team of permanent employees. Or, a mix of both?

There’s no right or wrong answer; it really depends on what your business needs. Today, we’ll lay out what temporary and permanent drivers bring to the table, helping you find a solution that works for you, no matter how hectic things get.

The benefits of hiring temporary workers

Whether they’re standing in the gap when business surges or providing holiday cover so your team doesn’t get overwhelmed, hiring drivers for temporary roles can be a lifesaver. 

And for drivers taking on temporary jobs, it's a chance to keep work steady between contracts, gain experience, and build connections that form a solid professional network. Sounds like a win-win! 

Flexibility

When you’re coming up to a busy period or have a staff shortage, temporary workers can slot in to lighten the load. Whether you need them for a few weeks or the odd job here and there, they’re around when you need them (and kept busy elsewhere when you don’t).

Cost effective

Temporary employment doesn’t require the same financial commitments as permanent positions. No long-term salary or benefits to pay, just compensation for the hours worked or the job done. And, if things take a dip and work gets quiet, you’re not stuck with payroll expenses, helping you keep your budget under control.

Fast hiring

Need a temporary employee yesterday? Driver recruitment agencies often have vetted, skilled drivers ready to go at the drop of a hat. No lengthy hiring process, just reliable drivers when you need them most.

The benefits of permanent employees

Now that we’ve covered hiring temporary employees, let’s consider the other option: permanent employees. 

Long-term staff are invaluable. They get to know your business, all your usual routes, and your clients. They’re a surefire way to get consistency and quality work without any surprises along the way. 

Reliability and stability

In the logistics industry, consistency is everything. When customers come to expect a certain level of service from your business, you can’t afford to let them down. You need a team that can (literally) deliver. 

With permanent employees, you can be sure of this reliability as they know the customers, routes, schedules, and procedures inside and out.

Company loyalty

The longer an employee works with the same company, the longer they’re likely to stay, and the more invested they’ll be in driving your business goals forward. 

Keep in mind, it takes more than time to get this kind of loyalty. Fair compensation, job security, work-life balance, and generous benefits like sick leave and paid time off make employees feel valued and appreciated. The more you can offer as an employer, the more loyal your drivers are likely to be.

Compliance and safety

Safety isn’t something you can gamble on. It’s a necessity. While temporary employees will be up to date on any regulations and information, permanent employees will have been around long enough to know your company’s safety policies backwards and forwards 

The challenges of permanent staff

Filling permanent roles can be great for long-term stability, but they’re a bigger commitment, financially and logistically, than someone who’s just passing through. Keep these considerations in mind before you hire.

Higher costs

Between wages, ongoing training, and benefits packages, the costs quickly add up when you’re dealing with permanent contracts. Investing in long-term stability is good for your business, but it can definitely put a strain on your budget (especially if you’re a small business).

Less flexibility

It takes time to build a stellar team of reliable drivers. And when the time comes to scale (whether you’re expanding or downsizing), the process of hunting down, hiring, or laying off permanent employees can slow you down.

Which option is right for your business?

Now that we’ve laid out the upsides and drawbacks of temporary work and permanent roles…how do you decide between them? 

Or, do you even have to?

Temporary drivers make more sense for your business if:

• You get seasonal spikes in demand where you need more hands on deck

• You need emergency cover if someone calls out sick

• You’re looking for short-term flexibility to smoothly scale your team up or down
  
  

Permanent employees are great if:

• You want to build a team that’ll be with you for the long haul

• You’re planning ahead and preparing to grow your business
  
  

A mix-and-match approach might actually work best if:

• You have a solid permanent staff already, but could do with temporary workers filling in here and there as needed. Consider it the best of both worlds!

There’s no one right answer to which kind of driver you should hire. Each has its pros and cons, and the right choice for you depends on the size of your business, the weight of your workload, and the scale of your budget.

Find the right drivers for your fleet

Teaming up with a trusted driver recruitment agency can help you find permanent staff, temporary drivers, or a healthy mix of both. And we happen to know just the people!

We thoroughly screen and vet all our drivers so you can rest assured that only the cream of the crop will be joining your team, whether it’s for a fleeting moment or for good.

Reach out today and let’s build a team that works for your business.