In today’s competitive business landscape, choosing a reliable and trustworthy partner for your staffing needs is essential for success. Staffing agencies in Ontario play a crucial role in connecting employers with qualified candidates, but with numerous options available, choosing the right agency can be daunting.
At GHRC we have partnered with businesses across Ontario for over 30 years to meet their staffing needs. In this blog post, we’ll share an insider’s perspective on seven important factors to consider when choosing among staffing agencies in Ontario. By understanding these key elements, business owners and professionals will know what to look for and, more importantly, what to avoid in their search.
Licensing Requirement for Staffing Agencies in Ontario
As of July 1, 2024, temporary help agencies and staffing agencies in Ontario are required to have a license to operate. This requirement applies to all agencies and recruiters, including those based outside of Ontario. Businesses are prohibited from engaging agencies without a license and can face stiff penalties if caught knowingly doing so.
Before selecting a staffing agency to partner with, be sure to check if they are licensed. The government of Ontario has a public facing portal to check the licensing status of all temporary help agencies and recruiters.
Speed and Efficiency in Employment Placement
In many industries, staffing needs can arise suddenly, and delays in filling positions can impact productivity, operations and worst of all profitability.
A good staffing agency recognizes the importance of filling positions quickly and should have a strong candidate pool and an efficient process to quickly supply qualified workers when needed. Ask about their average turnaround time for filling positions and how they handle last-minute staffing requests. A well-organized agency will be able to respond quickly and keep your business running smoothly.
Strong Track Record of Employee Attendance
One of the biggest challenges in temporary staffing is reliable attendance. High absenteeism can disrupt operations and hurt productivity.
When evaluating a staffing agency, ask about their track record for employee attendance. A reputable agency will have systems in place to ensure that workers show up on time and consistently, minimizing disruptions to your business. At GHRC, we keep constant lines of communication open with both our clients and our employees to avoid issues arising from absenteeism.
Reliable and Accurate Payroll Processing
Payroll issues are a red flag when dealing with a staffing agency. Some agencies struggle to meet payroll deadlines or make frequent errors, which can lead to frustrated workers, high turnover, and hurt the reputation of your business.
During your search of staffing agencies in Ontario, be sure to ask the agency about their payroll process, accuracy, and track record. A well-established agency will have efficient payroll systems that ensure workers are paid correctly and on time.
Compliance with Legal Onboarding Requirements
In Ontario there are many legal onboarding requirements which vary by industry. For example, WHMIS training and Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps are required in most manufacturing settings. Some industries require additional certifications, such as working at heights training for construction.
A reliable agency will handle all mandatory training and compliance before placing workers, protecting both your business and employees. Even after selecting an agency, it’s not a bad idea to follow-up and request to see documentation that all requirements have been followed. Your agency should quickly and easily be able to produce these if they are reputable.
Solid Reputation and Positive Google Reviews
Your staffing agency represents your company, so their reputation matters. Before choosing an agency, check their Google reviews and client testimonials.
Look for consistent positive feedback about their reliability, service quality, and worker performance. An agency with poor reviews or frequent complaints may bring unreliable workers and negatively impact your business’s reputation.
Balanced Use of AI in the Hiring Process
With increasingly widespread adoption, AI is pretty much unavoidable these days and many staffing agencies use AI-driven recruitment tools to streamline hiring. However, relying too heavily on AI can result in poor candidate screening.
A good agency blends AI with human expertise, ensuring that workers aren’t just a good match on paper but also fit the workplace culture and job requirements. Ask the agency how they use AI in their hiring process and whether human recruiters still play a key role in selecting candidates.
Are you Looking for Staffing Agencies in Ontario?
In this blog post we’ve given you the big questions to ask and the research you should do when choosing a staffing agency in Ontario. But we would be remiss if we didn’t take the opportunity to recommend ourselves. At GHRC we’ve partnered with businesses across Ontario for over 30 years and meet the exact profile of the ideal partner to engage with for your staffing needs. Use the contact form below to reach out if you would like to learn more about partnering with us!
