Pros and cons of working in a factory

Should You Take a Temp-To-Perm Manufacturing Job?

The landscape for manufacturing jobs has changed over the years. Changing demands from the consumer and the high cost of hiring have led to many manufacturers to hire temp-to-perm staff. It’s a cheaper option than offering a permanent contact immediately, and allows greater flexibility.

With temp-to-perm jobs in manufacturing becoming more common, this might be the next type of job you are offered. However, temp-to-perm manufacturing jobs come with both advantages and disadvantages.

In this article, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of temp-to-perm jobs in manufacturing – helping you decide whether such a role is best for you right now.

Pros of Temp-To-Perm Manufacturing Jobs

A temp-to-perm job can open doors into a manufacturing company, making it easier to land a permanent role. While you may have concerns about a role that does not guarantee a permanent position, it will come with a lot of pros, such as:

·      Possibility of full-time employment

The cost of hiring for manufacturing companies can be high. RecruiterBox has assessed the average cost to hire in the manufacturing industry at more than $5,000.

Finding skilled workers for manufacturing jobs is hard, as candidates can exaggerate skills or end up being a bad fit for the company culture. A temp-to-perm arrangement allows a company to ‘try before they buy’. It also allows you to do the same.

If you prove yourself to be a skilled, enthusiastic employee, and make a good impression on your manager during the temporary term of your employment, you are more likely to be offered a permanent position by the employee.

·      A trend of temp jobs in the manufacturing industry

Various studies have found that employers are more likely to hire temp employees today. We’ve noticed that more employers are becoming reliant on temp-to-perm workers. This arrangement allows them to plan more efficiently and be more agile to the rapidly-evolving employment environment.

As more temp jobs come to the market, this means your chances of landing a temp role rather than a permanent role could be higher. Once you have your foot in the door, you can then work to demonstrate that the employer should consider making you a permanent member of their staff.

·      Keep continuous employment on your resume

With more than 14 million Americans unemployed this year due to the global pandemic, finding a new manufacturing job has never been so tough. Competition is fierce and there are fewer roles to compete for.

Taking a temp-to-perm contract allows you to show continuous employment on your resume. It also helps to keep your cash flow positive, and demonstrates that you are enthusiastic to work.

·      Test the waters at a company

As mentioned earlier, the ‘try before you buy’ vetting does not only benefit the employer. It also gives you the opportunity to test the waters and see if the job is a good fit.

Taking on a temp-to-perm manufacturing job gives you the time to get to know the role. You can decide if the company, the job tasks, your colleagues, and the culture are the right fit. If not, you can leave at the end of your temporary contract and look for something else.

Cons of Temp-To-Perm Manufacturing Jobs

As you can see, a temp-to-perm manufacturing job can present a great opportunity. However, like any job, it can have its downsides too. The main disadvantages to taking a temp-to-perm manufacturing job are:

·      Does not always lead to full-time employment

Temp-to-perm roles never guarantee a full-time position at the end of the contract. You may spend a few months working for a company, really like the job, but at the end of your contract you may need to resume your job search.

·      Lack of benefits

Temporary staff usually do not receive the benefits that permanent employees do. Paid time off, sick pay, and other benefits may not be given to you while you are in a temporary role.

To Sum Up

Manufacturing jobs are changing. With the constant shifts in demands and employers wanting high-quality candidates, temp-to-perm roles are becoming more common. While this might be a change from the type of role you are used to, it can present a great opportunity to ensure you land a position at the right company for you.

For help finding your next manufacturing job, contact Coast Personnel.

Working in a warehouse affords us with many opportunities and benefits. This is something that a lot of people don’t know.

If you are still unsure if getting a warehouse job is something you should do, I’m here to give you reasons why you should give it serious consideration. I’m also going to touch briefly on some cons about working in a warehouse as additional information before you make your final decision.

Good Pay in LCOL Areas

Most warehouses in big cities and towns in the US and Canada pay at least $15 an hour. If you live in a low cost of living city and get decent hours, this can be enough to pay rent, buy food, have a night out once in a while and save.

Not to mention that in the warehouses that I’ve worked at, your rate goes up a dollar or two every year and is capped at around $25.

Good Benefits

You get decent benefits if you are a permanent employee at a warehouse. At my job, you get health insurance, retirement plan and employee stock options.

This is so much better than most blue caller jobs out there especially in smaller companies.

So I always advice people that it’s better to work at a large reputable corporation and to do your research on a company before you get the job.

Keeps You Fit

Warehouse jobs like picking, loading and sorting involve lots of moving and lifting. This helps make and keep you fit just as if you went to the gym.

Think of it as a free workout. I’ve seen people who’ve lost a lot weight after getting a warehouse job.

I’ve known others who intentionally get a warehouse job so that they can get fit. And hey, it doesn’t hurt if you’re losing weight and getting paid for it, right?

Time Goes by Fast

Warehouse work environments are quit fast paced. For pickers and loaders, time seems to fly.

You have no time to stand around doing nothing unless you’re on break.

If you like work environments where you’re always on the move and there’s little chit chat, this is the job for you.

Flexible Hours

During peak seasons – such as summer and Christmas season – when the warehouse is very busy, you get the opportunity to do a lot of overtime if you want to.

I have been able to put in lots of hours during the busy season and make good money.

Also, during periods when the warehouse is not too busy, you get the option to clock out early if you want to.

This kind of flexibility is something I appreciate in our industry.

Opportunity to Move Up

There are many channels to move up the ladder in a warehouse. Higher positions include supervisor, QA, auditor, etc.

It’s also not unheard of for entry level guys to climb up to c-suit level. It really depends on your ambition, networking skills and education.

Some warehouses also offer free training programs which you can take advantage of to level up at your workplace.

Good Culture

If your warehouse has a union then it’s likely that your work has a nicer culture than most places that don’t.

This is because unionized warehouse workers are treated like actual people by being afforded fair treatment by their employer in terms of pay, job security, health and safety and general welfare of employees.

So before you get that warehouse job, try to find out if it has a union.

Plenty of Job Openings

There are plenty of warehouse jobs all around. Warehouses that I’ve worked at look for workers all year round.

This is one of the few sectors of the economy where demand for labor doesn’t go down.

Low Barrier to Entry

You don’t need any special education to get an entry level warehouse job. Combined with the fact that the pay is decent, this is a better deal than many other places I’ve worked at.

Warehouse jobs are not all sunshine and roses, unfortunately. There are many places where employees are not treated well.

This depends on the specific warehouse, of course. Cons include:

High Risk of Injury

I’ve seen people get injured on the job when working at a warehouse. People break their wrists and legs and dislocate their hernias. This usually happens as a result of the heavy lifting or being hurt by moving equipment.

What’s worse is that once you’re hurt, that’s it. You’re out of a job. So never take on a job when you think the risk of getting hurt is high. Always follow rules pertaining to safety at the warehouse.

Depression

Many warehouse workers experience depression and mental stress due to the nature of the work.

The daily heavy and grueling labor found in most large warehouses isn’t conducive for many warehouse workers.

Some warehouses also have poor employee culture and attitude which leads to harassment (especially of newer employees) and cliquism which serves to push out some workers.

These factors contribute to workers having poor mental health.

Unsustainable Pay in HCOL Areas

In some high cost of living areas, the pay you get as an entry level warehouse worker is not enough to get yourself a decent apartment, save money, etc.

It’s critical to make sure that you can make a decent living out of the pay you’re going to get at a warehouse before you apply for the job.

If you can, try to move to an LCOL city/town and get a warehouse job there.

Final Thoughts

Warehouses are great places to work at, in my opinion. They have afforded me a better life than I could ever have imagined.

Don’t be afraid to take the plunge. If it doesn’t work out, you can always switch to another job. After all, it beats being unemployed in the meantime.

Just make sure to do your due diligence on the company you are applying to so you don’t end up with a bad employer.

What are the disadvantages of working in a factory?

Is working in a factory good?

Is it hard working in a factory?

What are the disadvantages of working for a company?