How is a “temp” different from an “interim” employee?

There are some key differences between temporary (“temp”) and interim employee roles.

Organizations typically hire a temporary (“temp”) employee to fulfill short-term staffing needs, such as:

• Addressing short-term or seasonal fluctuations in workload
• Completing specific projects with defined timelines
• Covering for absent employees or those on extended leave
• Meeting sudden increases in demand due to market fluctuations or business expansion
• Testing new roles or job functions before committing to permanent hires

Temp positions typically have a limited duration and may not result in permanent employment.

In contrast, organizations bring in an interim employee to fill a temporary gap in staffing during periods of transition or change. Their roles may include:

• Providing leadership and stability during mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring
• Filling temporary leadership positions while permanent replacements are recruited or trained
• Managing specific projects or initiatives requiring specialized skills or expertise
• Supporting departments or teams facing temporary staffing shortages due to unexpected departures or vacancies
• Implementing strategic initiatives or operational improvements on an interim basis before permanent leadership is established

While both temporary and interim employees serve short-term staffing needs, interim employees often involve higher-level responsibilities than typical temp positions. They take on more strategic and leadership-oriented roles to address specific organizational challenges or transitions.