When you invite people into your business, you are broadcasting to the whole world what happens in your business. Interns, contractors, self-employed and temporary workers all spend a limited time experiencing how your business operates before moving on to one of your competitors. Get it right and your reputation will grow stronger. Get it wrong and you risk losing your clients and potential clients because your your industry will know your problems.

There are many benefits to hiring interns and temporary workers in a variety of roles. However, when people are not permanently employed in a business, they may not have an incentive to preserve the reputation of that business, especially if they feel they have been treated unfairly or disrespectfully. In addition, if they see poor employment practices or low standards, they may decide not to work for this business again and warn others against working for this organisation. Because temporary workers are likely to be moving on to a competitor in the same industry – and they likely know others in that industry – a business’s bad reputation is going to spread fast in the sector.

If people are going to be talking about your business, make sure that all they have to say is praise and recommendations. First and foremost, people respond very negatively when they are disrespected or treated unfairly. If people get angry or frustrated by how they are being treated at work, they are likely to vent within their social circle; if their social circle is comprised by others in the same industry as yours, people working in your industry and your competitors will find out. Bad reputation can also be created and propagated in relation to poor work practices, such as bullying, sexual misconduct, dishonesty, discrimination, as well as poor standards in the work product produced by a business. This can cost a business contracts within the industry, potential clients and the hiring of the most talented workers, who may choose to work elsewhere.

Every person at every level should be treated with respect, fairness and kindness always and without exceptions. Not only this brings out the best in people, it also makes people feel good about their work environment and – ultimately – your business. If they see permanent employees happy and treating everyone with respect, they are more likely to also perceive that this is a good place to work. If temporary workers are happy to be working for you, they will be speaking highly of your business and your people to the market: clients, potential clients and competitors.

If a business has high standards and maintains excellent work practices, as well as addressing and resolving problems as and when they arise, people moving in and out of your business will be able to see that. A well-functioning business is an excellent recommendation that any temporary worker can make of your business and more effective than any promotional or PR communication your business could produce. Having robust and principles oversight and reporting structures helps prevent poor standards and workplace-related complaints, such as discrimination, sexual harassment or bullying. When these occur, they can be identified and stopped before they become a problem. By ensuring that everyone – including interns, contractors, self-employed workers – are treated well and by ensuring your business has excellent standards, you are essentially getting free publicity without spending any money.