Perm and proud — but here’s why temp could boost your bottom line

This is a guest blog by REC Business partner, Giant Finance+

If you’re a perm recruiter, you’ve probably felt it: the peaks and troughs. One month you're flying, the next you're waiting on a couple of deals to close. It’s the nature of the game but what if you could level it out a bit? 

More and more perm-focused agencies are setting up temp desks. And not just the big players. Smaller independents are doing it too, and doing it well. There’s a good reason: temps create a steady income stream, keep clients coming back, and help agencies ride out the quieter months. 

Why bother with temp? 

Let’s keep it simple: temp desks bring in recurring revenue. Instead of waiting for one big perm fee to land, you’ve got a weekly margin hitting your account. It might start small, but it builds fast and it’s far more predictable. 

Clients love it too. If you can offer perm and temp, you become more valuable. They don’t need to go elsewhere. You’ve got them covered for last-minute sickness cover, project spikes, and everything in between. 

And let’s be honest, in a shaky economy, perm hiring slows. But temp? It keeps moving. 

So where do you start? 

Start with what you know. If your perm desk specialises in finance roles, there’s a good chance your clients also hire temps for credit control, payroll, or transactional finance. Tap into that. 

You'll need to get your head around compliance; AWR, holiday pay, pensions. All the good stuff. But don’t let that scare you. Plenty of agencies do it, and there’s support out there. 

The big blocker for most? Cash flow. You need to pay your temps weekly, but your clients might take 30–45 days. That’s where a partner like Giant Finance+ makes life easier. They cover 100% of your temp payroll, which means you don’t have to front the money while waiting to get paid. It takes the financial pressure off and lets you scale confidently. 

Final thought 

No, temp isn’t always easy. It’s fast-paced, operational, and a bit messy at times. But it works and more perm agencies are waking up to that. 

If you’re even half considering adding a temp desk, don’t wait until the market slows. Start building it now, slowly and steadily. Get the right support. Ask questions. Speak to others who’ve done it. 

And if you want to chat about how the funding works, give Giant Finance+ a shout. We’ll talk you through it. No hard sell! 

Learn more about Giant Group