Opinion: The importance of trust in the staffing industry

Maria V. Snyder may be a best-selling fantasy author but one of her most quoted lines perfectly captures the challenge faced by many organisations stepping into the world of co-sourcing.

“Trusting is hard,” she wrote in the first book of her Poison Study trilogy. “Knowing who to trust, even harder.”

The very nature of co-sourcing – that is, partnering with a third party to access talent to perform tasks traditionally done in-house – means trust is non-negotiable. From feeling confident that deadlines will be met to sharing confidential business details, trust is one of the most crucial factors in the staffing industry and, as Synder writes, it can be hard to know who to put one’s faith in, especially when the stakes are so high.

With a global market size of US$262 billion in 2022, there are countless outsourcing providers and individuals ready to provide support but clearly not all do what they say they will. Which begs the question – how can a business best position itself to team with a partner that can be trusted to deliver from day one and long into the future?

Do your research – there is no excuse in the modern day not to do a deep-dive into a potential staffing partner. The online world means their own websites are only a click of the button away but, more importantly, so are independent sources that can allow you to gauge their reputation for trustworthiness. From Google Reviews and business profiles to client testimonials, it is increasingly easy to find information to help make your decision.

Consider their clients – while not every co-sourcing provider promotes their client list (some for obvious reasons), reputable organisations have no such qualms sharing insights into who they have previously worked with. Such is the case with on-demand talent platform flexhive by Hudson and the fact it has been trusted by big-name brands such as Westpac, Nike and Woolworths says more about its ability to deliver than a fancy advertisement ever could.

Check their pedigree – the digital revolution has created an environment where almost anyone with an internet connection can be a freelancer. Such individual operators may be incredibly cheap but is it worth forgoing the sense of security that comes with companies that have established backers. As an example, flexhive by Hudson is part of Hudson group, APAC’s largest privately owned recruitment agency and an organisation with a 30-year history of doing what it says.

Review their policies – a lot of co-sourcing operators talk the talk but, as the saying goes, it is another thing to walk the walk. Look for providers that are willing to put their money where their mouth is by offering the likes of a Replacement Guarantee (free replacement of a worker should the original appointment not work out) or No-Hidden Fee promises. Such promises are a sure sign they have the confidence to achieve what they say they will.

Have a conversation – it is all well and good to read about an organisation but the true test comes when it is time to communicate. Ask the questions that need to be asked and stay alert for any signs that all may not be as it seems. Quality staffing providers will have no concerns sharing insights and explaining processes, while those that avoid certain topics or are unclear may be best avoided. Trust your instincts.

Summary

One of the tricky things about trust is it needs to be earned and that takes time. There is no need to rush blindly into a co-sourcing partnership. By completing the steps above, companies will give themselves the best chance of working with organisations that are not only trustworthy but more likely to deliver results that will lead to long-term and mutually beneficial relationships.  If you would like to chat further please get in touch with us today.