Pro Tip: “A smart backfill strategy doesn’t just fill gaps—it protects your people and your bottom line.”
In the wake of the pandemic, businesses across sectors—especially healthcare and finance—have faced a sharp rise in employee leaves. From FMLA and extended medical absences to parental leave and burnout-related time off, staffing gaps are more common than ever.
But here’s the dilemma: while critical staff are on leave, the work doesn’t stop. Patient care, audits, financial close cycles, compliance checks—these aren’t tasks you can simply hit pause on.
So how can organizations backfill these roles without overloading team members or committing to long-term hires?
Answer: Contingent workforce solutions—flexible, fast, and fully compliant.
When a key employee is out, the default choices are limited—and flawed:
Redistribute the Workload:
Sounds practical, but often results in:
Hire a Full-Time Replacement:
A costly, time-intensive process with long-term implications:
Leave the Role Open:
This often leads to:
A contingent workforce—professionals engaged on a temporary, project-based, or contract basis—solves these problems with unmatched flexibility.
Whether you’re backfilling a billing specialist in a hospital or a treasury analyst in a bank, contingent talent ensures continuity without commitment.
And when paired with Employer of Record (EOR) or payrolling solutions, it’s even easier.
An EOR is a third-party organization that handles:
This means you can plug in pre-vetted, high-performing professionals quickly—without worrying about liability, misclassification, or compliance errors.
According to recent surveys:
Why the rise?
Both healthcare and finance are heavily regulated industries, and every leave-related backfill decision must adhere to:
Failing to correctly classify or onboard temporary talent can result in:
EORs and payrolling providers remove this risk by ensuring compliance from Day 1.
Hiring a full-time employee costs 25–40% more than their salary once benefits, onboarding, and overhead are factored in.
Here’s a side-by-side:
| Cost Factor | Full-Time Hire | Contingent Worker via EOR |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $85,000 | $85,000 |
| Benefits (25–30%) | $21,250 | $0 (Handled by EOR) |
| Recruiting & Training | $7,000 | $1,000 |
| Risk of Turnover | High | Low (project-based) |
| Total Annual Cost | ~$113,250 | ~$86,000 |
Savings per backfill: Over $27,000
Let’s face it—backfills are unpredictable. Some leaves extend longer than expected. Others require rapid response.
With contingent labor and EOR partnerships, you gain:
This is especially critical for:
At TCWGlobal, we support some of the most complex industries with tailored, compliant, and scalable workforce solutions. Our EOR and payrolling services help you:
Backfilling roles isn’t a temporary trend—it’s a permanent business need. As more employees seek flexible time off and legislation continues to evolve, HR leaders must shift from reactive firefighting to proactive workforce planning.
Contingent labor, when done right, is no longer “plan B.”
It’s the strategic lever for teams who want to stay agile and competitive.
Whether your top nurse is out on leave or your senior accountant needs time away, don’t wait for burnout or budget bloat.
With TCWGlobal’s contingent workforce solutions, you can:
1. What is a contingent workforce?
A contingent workforce refers to non-permanent employees such as contractors, freelancers, temporary workers, and staff hired through third-party providers like an Employer of Record (EOR) or payrolling services. These workers offer businesses flexibility to scale labor based on short-term needs without committing to full-time employment contracts.
2. How does an Employer of Record (EOR) help with backfilling roles?
An EOR handles all employment responsibilities—such as payroll, benefits, tax compliance, and onboarding—for contingent workers. This allows companies to quickly and compliantly backfill positions during employee leave without increasing internal HR workload or risking legal issues.
3. Why is contingent staffing important in healthcare and finance?
Both industries face strict compliance regulations and cannot afford operational gaps. Contingent staffing ensures critical roles are covered during employee absences, helping organizations maintain productivity, meet deadlines, and stay compliant with labor laws like HIPAA, FMLA, SEC, and FINRA guidelines.
4. How fast can a contingent worker be onboarded through an EOR?
With a trusted EOR partner like TCWGlobal, contingent workers can often be onboarded within a few days, depending on role complexity and location. This rapid deployment helps businesses avoid downtime and reduces pressure on existing teams.
5. Is using contingent workers cost-effective compared to hiring full-time employees?
Yes. Contingent staffing eliminates costs associated with benefits, long-term salaries, and recruitment overhead. It also reduces expenses tied to overtime when existing staff are stretched thin. A smart backfill strategy can save companies thousands per role annually.
6. Does using contingent workers impact team morale?
When implemented correctly, contingent workers enhance team morale by preventing burnout and ensuring workloads remain manageable. Clear communication and proper onboarding help integrate contingent staff smoothly into existing teams.
7. What compliance risks are avoided by using an EOR?
An EOR mitigates risks such as:
8. Can contingent workers handle specialized tasks?
Absolutely. Many contingent workers possess specialized skills tailored for high-demand roles, from healthcare billing specialists to financial compliance analysts. EOR providers often maintain talent pools with niche expertise.
9. How do I start building a backfill strategy with TCWGlobal?
It’s simple! Connect with a TCWGlobal representative to discuss your workforce needs. We’ll help you design a flexible staffing solution tailored to your industry, ensuring you’re prepared for any employee leave scenario.
Request to Talk to a Rep Today and build your burnout-free backfill plan.
Need help managing your contingent workforce? Contact TCWGlobal today to learn more.
Whether you need expertise in Employer of Record (EOR) services, Managed Service Provider (MSP) solutions, or Vendor Management Systems (VMS), our team is equipped to support your business needs. We specialize in addressing worker misclassification, offering comprehensive payroll solutions, and managing global payroll intricacies.
From remote workforce management to workforce compliance, and from international hiring to employee benefits administration, TCWGlobal has the experience and resources to streamline your HR functions. Our services also include HR outsourcing, talent acquisition, freelancer management, and contractor compliance, ensuring seamless cross-border employment and adherence to labor laws.
We help you navigate employment contracts, tax compliance, workforce flexibility, and risk mitigation, all tailored to your unique business requirements. Contact us today at tcwglobal.com or email us at hello@tcwglobal.com to discover how we can help your organization thrive in today's dynamic work environment. Let TCWGlobal assist with all your payrolling needs!