Working in line with the WMTemps framework, Opus People Solutions supported Walsall Council to build closer relationships with hiring managers, improve visibility of temporary workforce usage and better understand each directorate’s workforce requirements.

The goal was to identify inefficiencies and improve transparency around temporary worker tenure and usage. A key opportunity identified was the significant number of long term temporary workers already embedded in roles who could transition to permanent employment if required.

These would be at no cost to the council due to WMTemps’ no fee temp to perm policy after 12 weeks. The task involved designing a clear, structured approach to reviewing temporary workers, exploring temp to perm suitability and working collaboratively with managers and candidates to agree next steps.

The team introduced quarterly workforce review meetings with Directors and senior managers across all directorates. The reviews provide clear oversight of departmental spend and the tenure of temporary workers in post, with a particular focus on those approaching or exceeding 12-weeks on assignment.

The aim of this process is to reinforce that from the 13th week, temporary workers can apply for permanent roles at the Council with no fee required to be paid to the supplying agency, and the reviews helped ensure managers are aware of this opportunity.

This approach complemented a wider Council initiative requiring senior directors to approve extensions of agency assignments beyond 12 months and to justify the reason for this. Both processes are aimed at improving permanent recruitment at the Council.