Looking for temporary work?
As a job seeker in today's marketplace temporary work offers you an alternative to a permanent position, allowing you to advance your career in a way that is more suited to your personal circumstances. Michael Page, with its teams of specialist consultants can assist with your search for temporary work.

The benefits of temporary work
Temporary work offers many benefits including:

Flexibility
The ability to work in a variety of industries, or focus your discipline
Greater exposure to different types of management styles and clients
Exposure to different types of products offered
Opportunity to broaden or deepen your skill base
Definition of temporary work
Different industries refer to a temporary position in different ways. You may hear it referred to as ‘freelancing'. In general terms, a temporary employee is someone who works for a company on a non-fixed term basis. The employee's salary is usually calculated on an hourly or daily rate and is paid through the Michael Page payroll. No notice period is required to terminate temporary employment by either party.

Reasons companies need temporary staff
Companies employ people on a temporary basis for many reasons including:

To cover for maternity leave or other absences
During particularly busy periods of the year
To analyse an employee's performance with a view to permanent employment
Assistance with special projects
Issues to consider
Whatever your reasons for entering temporary employment there are many issues to consider:

1. How to stay in work

Professionalism and good relations with your consultant and employer are the crucial factors to ensure a steady stream of temp jobs.

Update your consultant on your availability and any changes to your personal details e.g. address, phone numbers and email. Also, keep your CV up-to-date with newly-acquired experience and skills learnt.

2. Holiday entitlement

The European Working Time Directive stipulates that all employees should receive a minimum of four weeks paid leave per annum. Michael Page International pays holiday pay, along with standard hourly pay from the beginning of each assignment to all PAYE temporary workers.

3. Tax and National Insurance

Michael Page International will deduct PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax and National Insurance (NI) from your salary automatically. If you are working in the UK for the first time you will need to complete a P46 and apply for an NI number. You can obtain a P46 from your consultant.

To apply for an NI number, contact the Department of Social Security on 020 7712 2171, which will inform you of their nearest office. We strongly recommend that you obtain an NI number, as this registers your eligibility for state benefits, including free hospital and doctors' services.

If you wish to work through a limited company, we recommend that you seek independent, professional advice regarding the set up and operation of such a company. This is particularly important in the light of the Government's anti-tax avoidance legislation, IR35. For further information on IR35, visit the Inland Revenue website: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

4. Visa requirements

To be considered for temporary / contract roles, you must have the right to work in the UK. If you are not a British, EC or EEA national, we shall reject your application unless you have secured, or are eligible for, a UK visa. Unfortunately we are not able to assist you secure sponsorship through a UK company.

If you are unsure about your visa status for the UK, please refer to www.ukvisas.gov.uk for further information.