The number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland increased by 4.4% in the third quarter of 2022, when compared to the same period a year ago, according to research from Swiss Staffing.

Swiss Staffing also noted that hours worked in the permanent staffing sector saw a decline of 1.6% for the same period.

Marius Osterfeld, Economist at Swiss Staffing, said, “The exchanges with hiring companies could hardly be more contradictory at the moment. Supply shortages, energy costs, astronomical prices and geopolitical risks are the topics that customers express concerns about in discussions. Then, the same companies announce that they are converting temporary roles into permanent roles, while also requiring additional temporary workers. This is a clear indicator of full order books, staff shortages, and workload peaks. It therefore remains to be seen when exactly these concerns will impact business figures.”

“The slight decline in the permanent staffing sector contradicts the reality of staff shortages in individual industries,” Swiss Staffing stated. “Hospitals and care facilities in particular have been severely affected and are crying out for new staff. This means that nursing staff are in a position to choose where they want to work.”

“In talks with staffing service providers, they speak openly about their needs: a company with a better reputation, a better team, a better work-life balance, a shorter commute, and higher wages,” Swiss Staffing said in a statement. “More and more nursing staff are choosing temporary positions, also so they can scope out a new employer without making a full commitment. In the long term, most nursing staff are still looking to be fully integrated into a team by means of a permanent role. For employers, this means that good employer branding in the region, flexibility, and good employment conditions are truly decisive in the fight for new talent.”