New Ideas
Kevin Franks examines some alternatives to traditional employment.

Part-time workers have become a critical key to making the US economy work We basically have two sectors of the work force – full time and part-time workers. About two-thirds of the population works full time, and they often get benefits like health care, life insurance and other perks that come over time (although that trend is decreasing). The other one-third is doing contract work, or they work part-time for one company. They work normally on a specific task for a limited period of time.

America is having to re-think traditional employer-employee rules just to remain competitive in the global marketplace. There has been a tremendous increase in productivity on the part of part time workers, which has lead to increased revenues and lower total cost.   While some companies still look at their employees as just another expense; more often now you better be looking at them as Human Capital assets.  Our relatively low unemployment  in this soft economy hints at the potential for a real labor shortage in the near future. Employers need to recognize talent in whatever form it takes and reward those individuals employees.

Increasingly we see companies contracting for higher end positions via our Employee Alternative and our exciting new Agent Alternative programs. These programs allow companies to quickly staff up; to cover new markets, market new products  or just fill in the shortages in existing staffing. Why  would a manufacturer use a rep group when they can quickly have a dedicated sales force for about the investment? Comprehensive Search has 23 years of industry experience and is known for getting the best talent available. These Alternative programs extend that strategic benefit to positions that might not normally get such individuals.

More people than ever are looking at part-time or flex-time opportunities. These are not the minimum wage temp-workers but are professionals who often have the knowledge, contacts and the ability to offer an immediate positive impact.  Our industry disassociated a tremendous amount of talent in the last few years. Through plant closures, mergers, lay-offs and early retirement. A considerable amount of talent is available to those employers nimble enough to act strategically. Many of these professionals no longer desire the traditional employment role but will readily excel in this modified structure.