KUALA LUMPUR (May 19): The success or failure of the use of outsourced and subcontracted employees depends on how well they are integrated into a business, according to Hays Recruiting Experts Worldwide (Hays).
In a statement today, Hays said the use of external employees through a service partnership could bring many benefits, such as access to specialist skills and additional flexibility to a company’s workforce.
However, Hays said it could also raise people management issues, one of which is how to make the employees feel part of the business despite being employed through a third party.
To overcome this, as well as improve relationships and ultimately performance, companies must integrate their outsourced or subcontracted employees, said Hays.
Hays managing director in Asia Christine Wright said that the benefits of outsourcing may be clear but companies must take a step back and consider the issue of integrating the new employees into their business.
“Any company entering into a partnership of this kind needs to ensure that the outsourced team believes in the same core values as their own.
“If the team coming in already shares the same ethics and is able to embrace the company’s culture, the foundations are there to build a strong working relationship,” she said.
Wright said that it was the responsibility of the organisation’s human resources department to set out clear expectations while also helping external employees feel part of the business.
To help integrate an external team, Hays suggested:
- Providing the same training as given to regular employees — this helps to convey to outsourced and subcontracted employees that their contribution is just as valued as their host counterparts.
- Even though they won’t be directly managed by the host company, make sure that senior management are aware of the outsourced team’s objectives.
- Give management and the team the ability to openly discuss performance — this is effective in creating a more productive relationship.
- Ensure all parties are clear on the agreement between the two companies. Everybody involved must know exactly what is required of them — doing so allows performance to be evaluated and managed in a much more efficient way.