“But I’m just a casual”

How many times have I heard the phrases, “I’m just a casual employee, therefore regular rules of behaviour, work standards, and reliability don’t apply to me because I’m pretty much unemployed from the end of each shift.” “I don’t have to give two weeks’ notice. I’m leaving”. “I don’t have to care because I’m not here regularly and I don’t have any projects or standards to achieve.”

Casual workers provide an invaluable resource to businesses. They provide flexibility to work around part-time and full-time staff absences, variations in business work demands and seasons, and the ability to more easily terminate with less cost than permanent employees.

So how do you keep your casuals happy and engaged?

• Keep the communication open and your casuals involved. If you are having Casual Friday or celebrating a team win, make sure everyone is given the same notice. For a casual team member to turn up and be surprised about what is going on that day reinforces their exclusion and casual status. Sending a group text, email, or reminder phone call that it is ‘Hawaiian Day’ will ensure your casual feels a part of the team.
• Remind them that even working casually is an important part of their career history. Their work experience with you will provide an insight to their future employers around their reliability, willingness to learn, flexibility, and their workplace attributes.
• Let them know their contribution is appreciated. Despite the number of hours they work, you can leverage the skills they have learnt in other industries and give them an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the business.

Casuals can be an invaluable part of your operation and it’s important to keep them actively engaged in your business.