The knock-on effect for small businesses
We are already seeing the early signs.
Costs are rising—fuel, energy, materials—and this feeds into everything from production to delivery. At the same time, demand is becoming less predictable. One month may be strong, the next quieter than expected.
This creates uncertainty, and uncertainty inevitably affects hiring decisions.
For many business owners, the question becomes:
Do we take someone on now, or do we wait?
It’s a sensible question—and one we’re hearing more frequently.
The challenge around hiring
The difficulty is that while confidence may dip, the work often doesn’t disappear.
Instead, it becomes inconsistent.
You may have periods where you need additional support, followed by quieter spells where that same level of resource is no longer required.
This creates a difficult balancing act.
Hold off on hiring, and existing teams can quickly become stretched. Productivity can suffer, and opportunities may be missed.
Hire permanently, and there is a risk of being overstaffed if demand slows.
Neither option is ideal.
Why temporary staffing becomes more relevant
This is where temporary staffing can play a valuable role.
It allows businesses to respond to changes in workload without committing to long-term costs.
Temporary workers are often used to:
- Cover short-term increases in demand
- Support existing teams during busy periods
- Provide cover for absence or unexpected gaps
As we’ve seen in previous periods of economic uncertainty, this flexibility becomes increasingly important.
It enables businesses to continue operating effectively, without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.
A practical approach in uncertain times
Periods like this are not new.
We have seen similar patterns following Brexit, during COVID, and more recently with rising inflation and energy costs.
Each time, the businesses that navigate these challenges most effectively are those that remain flexible in how they manage their workforce.
Temporary staffing is not about replacing permanent employees—it is about supporting them, and giving businesses the ability to adapt as conditions change.
Final thought
The situation in Iran is another reminder that global events can have very real, local consequences.
While we cannot control those events, we can control how we respond to them.
For many smaller businesses, that response will involve taking a more flexible approach to staffing—ensuring the right level of support is in place, without overcommitting in uncertain conditions.
