Temp-to-Hire Staffing
Try a worker on a temporary basis before converting them to a permanent hire.
Temp-to-hire (also called temp-to-perm) is a staffing arrangement where a worker starts on a temporary, agency-payrolled assignment and can be converted to the employer's permanent payroll after a trial period. It gives employers a working audition and gives workers a path to a permanent role.
Who it's for
Employers who want to verify skills, reliability, and culture fit before committing to a permanent hire — common for roles with high turnover risk or where a bad hire is costly.
How it works
- The employer defines the role, pay range, location, and the length of the temp period (often 3–6 months).
- A staffing agency recruits, screens, and places a worker, who is paid by the agency during the temporary period.
- The employer evaluates the worker on the job. If it's a fit, the worker converts to the employer's payroll — sometimes with a conversion fee.
- If it isn't a fit, the assignment simply ends, with no long-term obligation.
Common use cases
- Reducing the risk of a costly mis-hire for a hard-to-fill or safety-sensitive role.
- Scaling a team where you expect to keep strong performers permanently.
- Evaluating culture and reliability that a résumé and interview can't fully reveal.
Advantages
- A real-world trial before a permanent commitment.
- The agency carries payroll, taxes, and compliance during the temp period.
- Faster to start than a direct hire, with a clear conversion path.
Limitations to weigh
- Bill rates during the temp period are typically higher than a converted salary.
- A conversion fee may apply when the worker moves to your payroll.
- Strong candidates may prefer a direct permanent offer.
Questions to ask a staffing agency
- How long is the temp period before conversion, and is there a conversion fee?
- What is the bill rate during the assignment, and what does it include?
- How do you screen and vet candidates for this role?
- What happens if the assignment ends early on either side?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between temp-to-hire and direct hire?
Temp-to-hire starts the worker on the agency's payroll for a trial period before converting to permanent employment; direct hire places the worker on the employer's payroll as a permanent employee from day one.
Is there a fee to convert a temp-to-hire worker to permanent?
Often, yes. Many agencies charge a conversion (or buyout) fee when a worker moves to the employer's payroll, though the amount and terms vary and are sometimes reduced the longer the temp period runs.
Related staffing services
Common industries
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