Temporary agency work as a stepping stone?

Would you like to gain work experience quickly, return to work after a break or explore different areas of work? Temporary agency work – also known in German as Arbeitskräfteüberlassung or Leiharbeit – could be an option.

Under this arrangement, you work for a staffing provider and are assigned to another company for an agreed period. Whether this model suits you depends on your career goals, the level of predictability you want and the terms of the specific employment contract.

At its core, the arrangement involves three parties:

1. You as the employee: You sign an employment contract with a staffing provider.

2. The staffing provider: It is your employer, pays your wages and handles social insurance arrangements.

3. The client company: This is where you carry out your agreed duties.

Temporary agency work is regulated by law in Austria. However, the details vary depending on the country, employment contract and applicable collective agreement. Always check the specific terms of your offer before accepting it.

Benefits of temporary agency work for your career development

Temporary agency work can make it easier to access different roles, companies and industries. These six points can help you assess your options.

1. A quick route into the labour market

Access to vacancies: Staffing providers often fill positions that become available at short notice or require specific skills. With a complete candidate profile, you can be considered for several suitable assignments.

If your CV is not up to date, it helps to gather details of your work experience, skills, availability, preferred working hours and work location in advance. Trenkwalder offers tips for applying without an up-to-date CV, which can also help you prepare.

This can be particularly useful if you want to start or return to work after vocational training, university, parental leave, illness or a change in career direction. However, temporary agency work still requires careful consideration: clarify the duties, work location, working hours and expected length of the assignment in advance.

Practical benefit: You can explore different positions without starting an entirely new application process for each role.

2. An employment contract, pay and social protection

Check your contract: Your employment contract is with the staffing provider, rather than the client company. Among other things, it sets out arrangements for pay, annual leave, working hours, sickness and termination of employment. In Austria, the Temporary Agency Work Act (Arbeitskräfteüberlassungsgesetz) provides an important legal framework; the collective agreement for the temporary agency work sector and other agreements may also be relevant.

Your pay and any additional payments depend on your contract, duties, assignment and the applicable collective agreement provisions. In Austria, the collective agreement also provides for special payments, such as holiday and Christmas bonuses, under certain conditions.

Practical benefit: You know who to contact with questions about payroll, annual leave or social insurance.

3. Gaining work experience in different area

Choose assignments carefully: Temporary work can provide opportunities in fields such as IT, manufacturing, logistics, administration, healthcare, trades, chemicals, or remote work. The opportunities available depend on your qualifications, region and current vacancies.

If you are still exploring which duties suit you, different assignments can help you find your direction. Keep a record of the tasks that suit you, the skills you develop and the working conditions that help you perform well.

Practical benefit: You can demonstrate specific experience on your CV and define your career goals more clearly.

4. The possibility of joining the client company directly

Getting to know each other at work: During an assignment, you and the client company get to know each other through everyday work. Some companies later offer agency workers direct employment.

However, direct employment does not automatically follow an assignment and should not be taken for granted. Speak openly with your contact person if you are interested in a permanent role with the client company.

Practical benefit: You can demonstrate how you work, collaborate with the team and take on responsibilities.

5. Making use of training and qualifications

Discuss your development: Before starting an assignment, ask which qualifications are important for the role and whether training opportunities are available. These might include safety briefings, language courses, technical training or qualifications such as a forklift licence.

Subject to certain conditions, employees in temporary agency work may be eligible for support through the Social and Further Training Fund (Sozial- und Weiterbildungsfonds).

Practical benefit: A relevant qualification can broaden your assignment options and support a move into a new field of work.

6. Flexibility and professional contacts

Plan realistically: Different assignments may suit your circumstances, for example if you are planning a career change or initially want to gain experience in a new area. At the same time, check whether the working hours, commute and assignment length fit your everyday life.

Each assignment brings you into contact with new colleagues and workplace contacts. Good connections can be useful later, for example when you need a reference or hear about a vacancy.

Practical benefit: You gain insights into different ways of working and can expand your professional network.

Temporary agency work or direct permanent employment: which suits you?

Whether temporary agency work or direct permanent employment is a better fit depends on your goals. Applying directly may make sense if you want to work for a particular company over the long term. Temporary agency work may suit you if you want to gain experience or explore different fields of work.

Tip: Compare more than just pay. Consider working hours, commuting distance, contract length, additional payments, annual leave, training and everyday duties.

How can you recognise a reputable staffing provider?

A reputable staffing provider answers your questions clearly and gives you the contract documents in good time. You can check the following points:

· Contract and terms: Read the entire employment contract before signing. Clarify pay, working hours, annual leave, notice periods, work location and any additional payments.

· Legal framework: Ask which collective agreement provisions apply to your employment. In Austria, these may be set out in a Kollektivvertrag.

· Contact person: Clarify who to contact with questions about your assignment, working hours or payroll.

· Assignment information: Ask for an explanation of your duties, requirements, workwear, safety rules and start date before the assignment begins.

· Qualifications: Ask about training or further development if you still need particular skills or qualifications for a role.

Prepare for an initial conversation by describing your experience through specific examples and noting down questions about duties, working hours and work location. A complete overview of your experience, skills and availability helps you prepare a clear introduction. Trenkwalder provides application guidance that can also help you prepare for these conversations.

Conclusion: consider whether temporary agency work suits your next step

Temporary agency work can help you gain work experience more quickly, explore new duties and build connections with companies. However, your employment contract, pay and the applicable rules vary depending on the country, assignment and agreement.

If you are considering temporary agency work, first check the contract and the terms of the specific assignment. Note down any questions about duties, working hours, pay and development opportunities before making your decision.

If you are looking for a suitable role, Trenkwalder can support you with job recommendations and a job alert. Explore the current job vacancies and see which opportunities match your experience and preferences.