motivate your temps Archives

Temp work is on the rise, and so are the challenges of keeping temp workers motivated, connected, and, well, actually engaged on the job.

It’s a common story: a new temp joins the team, gets a 15-minute rundown of “how we do things here,” and then is expected to operate like a full-time employee who’s been here for years.

No wonder these talented employees sometimes feel like an afterthought.

Here’s the thing: temp work isn’t just a fad passing through. In fact, research estimates that temp work has grown by 8.5% since 2019 alone (South Sound Business).

Many are choosing temp roles for the flexibility, the variety, or as a strategic step into long-term employment.

In Indianapolis’ competitive hiring market, your success with temps can make or break how your team gets work done.

Let’s break down five practical, actually-doable things that will help you motivate your temps and keep them engaged from day one.

Spoiler: none of these involve pizza parties or escape rooms 🤭

How to Reengage Temp Workers

Let’s cut to the chase: sadly, many temp workers often get treated like second-class employees. They’re onboarded with half the information, overlooked in meetings, and skipped over when it’s time for recognition.

So if you’re seeing temps disengage, it might not be about the employee. It might be about the environment.

Treat your temps like real team members (because they are)

Did you know that when you hire a temp through That’s Good HR, they’re not technically your employee? (They’re ours.)

We’re the ones who handle their payroll, benefits (if applicable), and all the behind-the-scenes paperwork.

But when they do show up at your office, they’re showing up for you.

That’s why it’s so important to treat them like any other member of your team. Don’t sideline them just because their payroll doesn’t have your name on it. Include them in:

Team introductions and welcome emails
Daily standups or check-in meetings
Breakroom banter and celebrations
Recognition and shout-outs when they’re doing great work

You’d be surprised what a simple “We’re glad you’re here” can do for someone’s motivation.Plus, when employees feel seen and included, they’re more likely to bring their best energy to the job, and that benefits everyone

Communicate expectations clearly (and check in often)

Temps don’t have the luxury of a months-long onboarding plan. They need to get up to speed fast, but that doesn’t mean they should be left to figure it out on their own.

Make it easy for them to succeed by making these things clear upfront:

What exactly are they responsible for?
Who do they go to if they have a question or run into an issue?
What’s the “unwritten” office culture they need to know about?

The clearer you are about expectations, the less confusion and disengagement you’ll deal with later.

At That’s Good HR, we take this seriously.

We check in with our temps regularly after they’re placed to make sure they feel comfortable asking questions, raising concerns, and getting what they need to do their job well. We also follow up with you to make sure the placement is going smoothly from both sides.

It’s a two-way street, and it works.

Bring on the employee recognition

Temps may not be permanent, but that doesn’t mean they’re phoning it in.

Most are showing up with every intention of doing great work, so let’s give them a reason to keep that momentum.

Here’s how:

Give credit where it’s due. If a temp goes above and beyond, acknowledge it. A simple “great job” from a manager can carry more weight than you think.
Celebrate the wins together. If your team hits a big goal or milestone, loop your temps in. They contributed, too.
Connect the dots. When people understand how their work fits into the bigger picture, they’re more likely to stay focused and invested.

You don’t need grand gestures. Just a little intention goes a long way when it comes to keeping temp workers motivated and feeling like they matter, which, by the way, they do.

Get feedback early – and use it

Here’s a radical idea: don’t wait until a temp’s last day to find out how the experience went. 😉

One of the biggest missed opportunities we see with employers is not asking for feedback until it’s too late to change anything. Temps are uniquely positioned to give you fresh insight into:

Your onboarding process
Communication gaps
Workflow efficiency
Team dynamics

That’s why when you hire with us, we build in structured check-ins with our temps throughout their assignments.

We ask real questions and listen to their honest answers, and then we bring those insights back to you.

That feedback isn’t just useful…it’s gold.

It helps you make better decisions, retain talent longer, and improve the experience for the next hire. Plus, it shows your temps that their voice matters, which is a powerful motivator.

Be honest about whether it’s working

Not every placement is going to be a perfect fit. Sometimes, despite best efforts, things just don’t click.

Here’s the mistake we see way too often: businesses hang on to a disengaged temp way too long, hoping things will magically improve. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they usually don’t.

The good news is that when you partner with us, you’ve got options.

Our candidate pool is deep, diverse, and full of 30k+ talented folks who are ready to jump in today.

If something’s off, we can step in quickly to make it right, whether that’s a replacement, a conversation, or just adjusting the assignment scope.When your temp workers know they’re being set up for success, and not just stuck in a mismatched role, that engagement skyrockets.

We know how to do temp staffing right.

We’ve been doing this for over 20 years. And in 2025, hiring in Indianapolis isn’t what it used to be.

It’s faster. It’s more competitive. It’s more candidate-driven than ever. You need a staffing partner who understands that and can help you navigate it in real time.

That’s where we come in.

Our team doesn’t just “fill roles.” We build real relationships with clients, with candidates, and with the broader Indy talent community.

We know what motivates today’s temp workers.

We know how to support them.

And we know how to help you create a work environment where they thrive.

With That’s Good HR, your temps more easily stay engaged because:

We check in. Regularly.
We offer them real support, not lip service.
We don’t ghost. Ever.
We place people who actually want to be there.

Plus, when you hire a temp employee through us, you get a built-in support system: from hiring to check-ins to replacement if needed, we’re in it with you the whole way.

Still struggling to keep temps engaged? Let’s fix that.

Temp staffing is on the rise in Indianapolis, and engagement doesn’t just happen by accident.

If you’re tired of watching temps check out halfway through their assignment (or worse, not show up at all), let’s talk.

We offer more than just staffing, our strategy, support, and solutions actually make a difference.

Whether you need help onboarding, managing, or motivating temp workers, our team is here to help you do it better. Visit our website to learn more about us or submit a job for an open role on your team directly on our website.