Table of ContentsRisks for EmployeesCriticisms of Alternative StaffingSo Is Alternative Staffing a Good Solution for Me? As companies strive to find new and thoughtful ways to manage costs in their organization, alternative staffing is a concept that has taken hold with many companies over the past few years. Alternative staffing refers to the hiring of people on a part-time or as-needed basis, typically on short-term contracts and for specific services, as opposed to full-time staff. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original EssayAlternative recruitment strategies are defined as employer-employee relationships that deviate from traditional, full-time employment arrangements , long term and internally. Although alternative methods are not new, they are becoming increasingly popular due to the benefits they present for both employees and employers. Alternative staffing methods give employers the flexibility to respond to fluctuations in the business climate while protecting the job security and morale of their regular, full-time workforce. Professionals in the recruiting industry have noticed a profound change in how some of the best and brightest scientists, engineers and technical personnel find their next job. Many scientists give up their permanent, full-time positions to strike out on their own as free agents. David W. Green, editor-in-chief of Managing the Modern Laboratory, cites research showing that science professionals have found that contract positions provide them with the freedom and flexibility to advance in their careers at their own pace. Working as free agents allows them to learn skills in areas they care about and work with employers where they believe they can do the best work. As an added benefit, the free agent lifestyle allows employees to better balance their professional and personal lives. In a rising market, the job market may become tight and finding qualified alternative personnel may become difficult. This can prevent a company from finding the resources it needs to meet its commitments or goals. Turnover may be higher with alternative staff, companies are not incredibly loyal to these people and the individuals are the same. If a better offer is presented for temporary staff, this can quickly disappear and the company finds itself forced to look for new staff at very short notice. Risks to Employees Employees have very little job security in alternative recruitment solutions and can quickly find themselves looking for new employment. During market downturns, when the labor pool is plentiful, it can be difficult to replace a lost job. Employees must cover things like medical insurance on their own in many alternative staffing situations; as such they may see their overall costs increase significantly.Criticisms of alternative recruitmentMany employee organisations, i.e. trade unions, are strongly critical of alternative recruitment as they see it as companies simply trying to cut costs at the expense of employees. This is true in some cases, especially in companies that employ less-skilled labor. For