Wal-Staf Personnel Blog

How to Thrive in the New Economy

2010-08-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

August 2010, jobs are starting to come back, but they aren’t the same jobs we were used to. As we struggle to come out of the “Great Recession”, many of the jobs worried employers are adding back are temporary or project related rather than traditional permanent jobs. Also with unemployment remaining near 10%, more workers are willing to accept temporary or shorter term positions than in the past.

In 2005, the government estimated that 31% of U.S. workers were already so-called contingent workers. Experts say that number could increase to 40% or more in the next 10 years. Permanent employees could become the minority of the nation’s workforce within 20 to 30 years.

Our clients are reluctant to bring on permanent employees too quickly. The confidence landscape is very different now. In many cases, client’s have too many employees when they don’t need them and too few employees when they do need extra help. State Unemployment Tax rates (SUTA) have risen to historic highs and will only go higher in the next several years. Everyone is fearful of what new and yet to be seen federal government regulations will mean to business’s ability to survive and to local government budgets.

The good news is we are able to limit our client’s pain, costs, liability, and future risk by functioning as their "human resources shock absorber". A bad hire can cost your company thousands of dollars. Wal-Staf offers relief by providing our clients with the people they need when they need them and we take them back when they don’t. Our clients are able to stop worrying about advertising for job openings, interviewing, background checks, I-9s, E-Verify, references, skill assessments, drug tests, their (SUTA) rate or how to keep their labor cost under control. We do it all so they don’t have to.

As a result, our clients can focus on growth rather than just survival having a much more flexible rather than fixed labor cost structure, quick access to talented, experienced employees when needed, and are poised to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.

See how Wal-Staf can be of help to you and your organization, give us a call today. “Powered by experience since 1977, simply put, we find people our competitors can’t!”

Skill Assessments and Background Checks

2010-07-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

We highly recommend our full service staffing program - let Wal-Staf advertise, recruit, interview, and screen in order to find you that great employee you've been looking for. But, if you want to handle some of the work yourself, Wal-Staf can still help make your life easier.

Wal-Staf's "Live Proctor" Pre-Employment Screening can give you piece of mind -

Basic Skill Evaluations
Typing, Data Entry, Basic Comprehension, Safety, etc.
$15 each, first one FREE

Advanced Skill Evaluations
Microsoft Word 2007, QuickBooks Pro, Web Design etc.
(16 page detailed list)
$25 each, includes a FREE Background Check

Background Checks $25
Included FREE with any Advanced Skill Evaluation

Drug Screens (5 panel) $25

Credit Check $25

Driver MVR (Motor Vehicle Check) $25

Click here to get Authorization Form to print

Have Access to Federal Stimulus Money

2010-03-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hire All New Employees Through Wal-Staf Personnel Services!

Why?

Effective September 8, 2009, the Federal Government will no longer award Federal contracts to an employer who does not use the E-Verify system for all it's new hires.

The E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification System is run by the Department of Homeland Security. It is used to verify information on the I-9 Form that an individual completes when they apply for employment.

Wal-Staf Personnel Services is registered with the Department of Homeland Security as a designated Agent for the E-Verify System. This means Wal-Staf Personnel Services uses the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all of our newly hired employees and that we can also verify employment eligibility of newly hired employees of our clients.

This service is free to our staffing clients for all Wal-Staf associates. We also provide this service to clients who prefer to hire new employees on their own on a fee for service basis. So, either way, let Wal-Staf Personnel Service make sure your company has access to stimulus money.

Save Your Job Today

2009-05-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Employers - how can you help keep your company’s costs low and save your job and the jobs of all of your company’s current employees? Like many of our clients, you can find a way through this dilemma with our Supplemental Staffing Program. Keep your costs low and boost the bottom line at the same time. Here’s how!

Authorities indicate all companies are struggling with the same problem – how to maintain or increase productivity while cutting costs. Everyone in HR knows that recruitment and hiring comes with a lot of ongoing costs and obligations including Benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment Taxes, Overhead, Workers Compensation Insurance, etc. It’s no wonder that many companies have stopped hiring at all!

The risk of course is that you might cut off your nose to spite your face. Companies cut jobs to save money on payroll. But in order to survive and prosper the work still needs to get done. If you are not careful, your company could wind up losing more money in lost revenue than you saved by cutting jobs in the first place.

Many of our clients find the solution with our Supplemental Staffing Program. They bring Wal-Staf employees in on an as needed basis to fill positions either short term or long term without having to make a permanent commitment. They are able to increase productivity without all the normal recruiting hassles or ongoing associated costs that go with permanent hires. As Katie one of our long time clients said “We will always use Wal-Staf because you always come through for us”. Wal-Staf employees are talented, qualified individuals who have already been screened, had their skills assessed and their credentials verified. They are ready to start work in many different areas including customer service, administrative support, production lines, warehouses, etc.

The best part of our Supplemental Staffing Program is that our clients have the help they need when they need it, for only as long as they need it and they only pay for one line item – cost of labor. We do all the recruiting and screening work, and assume all the risk and liabilities associated with hiring permanent employees. Most importantly, you get the help you need at a fraction of the cost of increasing the size of your overall organization, your company saves money, increases productivity, is more profitable and fewer full time employees will be affected by any possible future layoffs. Don’t miss out, call today. We like you, let us help!

Wal-Staf Outplacement Services

2009-02-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

"Layoffs are hard on everyone - Wal-Staf can help reduce the Stress"

Wal-Staf Outplacement Services offers a way to assist employees in transition due to layoffs. When your business takes advantage of Wal-Staf Outplacement Services your employees can make the transition more smoothly.

One of the first things someone thinks of when they get laid off is how they will find a new job. For many people this is their biggest fear. With Wal-Staf Outplacement Services this fear can be greatly reduced.

We can often serve as a bridge between the laid off employee and a new position. Our access to business contacts within the community puts them one step ahead in networking and searching for their next job.

Wal-Staf Outplacement Services also offers training in a wide variety of topics beneficial to someone entering a job search. With our experienced HR professionals to guide them your employees will have the confidence and tools they need to move forward.

Training Sessions are available in (but not limited to):
• The 12-Step Program for Surviving Unemployment
• Writing or Updating a Resume with Your Future in Mind
• Interviewing – Learning to Market Yourself
• Unemployment Benefits
• Resume Distribution Secrets

A Contingent Workforce Strategy is an Effective Part of Workforce Planning

2008-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

In a constantly changing world, successful organizations must become more flexible. Successful organizations must develop contingency plans that allow them to shift their resources rapidly.

What is a Contingent Workforce Strategy?
A contingent worker is a worker who can easily be released by a firm. Most are contracts or temporaries. They are often superior to permanent workers but are easier to release if needed. This is a huge advantage to a company.

A contingent workforce strategy means an organization intentionally integrates a percentage of contingent workers into their permanent workforce. This integrated strategy gives managers an increased capability to cut labor costs whenever necessary.

Contingent workers can increase your short term capability while keeping your long term costs low. It is wise to increase the contingent/permanent ratio of workers to avoid layoffs of long term permanent workers while still ensuring the flexibility needed during challenging times.

For more information on developing a contingent workforce strategy contact your Wal-Staf Account Manager.

Bob Walther
President/Founder/CEO
Wal-Staf Personnel Services
www.wal-staf.com

Five Ways to Get the Best Staffing Results!

2008-08-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

1. Provide your Wal-Staf Account Manager with a well defined, current, prioritized job description, (in writing if possible) of exactly the person your looking for. Include your expectations in terms of abilities and experience. Let us know which skills and traits are most critical.

2. Give us as much lead time as possible. This will optimize your chances of us finding the ideal Wal-Staf Associate for your assignment.

3. Think of our staffing efforts for you as an investment not an expense. Let us take the time to fill your needs correctly. A high percentage of the now permanent employees of many of our Clients started out Wal-Staf Associates!

4. Educate your Wal-Staf Account Manager on your organization’s mission statement, goals, culture, history and current performance. Tell them what types of work styles or personalities will fit best in your organization. Help us be a more knowledgeable extension of your organization.

5. Provide us with feedback. Maintain an ongoing and honest dialog with your Wal-Staf Account Manager. This will greatly improve the quality of service and placements we can provide you.

www.wal-staf.com

The Biggest Challenge That Your Company Is Facing May Not Be That Business Is Slow!!

2008-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

The biggest problem for most organizations is that people are afraid to undertake new projects and hiring initiatives. This lack of confidence can often be accompanied by the knee-jerk reaction to reduce costs and come to a grinding halt.

At Wal-Staf we work with our clients wherever possible to improve their profits by helping them see us as a strategic tool. Our service can be used to control personnel expenses, improve productivity, and meet corporate objectives. We can be of most help when we have an open ongoing dialog and are kept abreast of changes and needs within your company.

If you’re not already, consider involving us in your company’s business planning. For example, you might include one of our account managers in an annual meeting to plan your staffing strategy. They can offer insight regarding the possible use of strategic staffing to meet your needs for workload variations, new hires, and managing attrition.

Now may be the time to let Wal-Staf assist you through the creative use of temporary help, to get more done and reduce your personnel costs! Call one of our offices today.

Bob Walther
President/Founder
Wal-Staf Personnel Services