If you’re hesitant to add permanent headcount right now, you’re not alone – contract staffing during economic uncertainty is becoming a go-to strategy for Charlotte companies who need flexibility. Why is that a smart move? Simply put, navigating the current sea of uncertainty is tricky. You’re watching the economy. Your team is stretched thin. Meanwhile there’s important work piling up, but the idea of adding additional full time just feels risky.
We’re seeing it across Charlotte’s middle market – from professional services firms to regional manufacturers – some leaders are pumping the brakes on hiring in general, and waiting could cost more than acting.
Here’s the problem with pausing all hiring activity:
Work isn’t stopping. It’s shifting to the wrong people. High-value employees are covering low-impact tasks. Projects are delayed. Customers wait longer. Morale drops. Revenue is affected. These scenarios are relayed to us daily from candidates who are getting burnt out and looking for options.
All while you’re trying to do “more with less.”
The Hidden Costs of Not Hiring
Holding off on hiring might feel like a smart short-term strategy, but it often leads to:
Burnout – Your top performers are doing work below their pay grade, leading to disengagement or worse, turnover.
Bottlenecks – Projects stall when there aren’t enough hands to execute.
Missed opportunities – When you’re understaffed, you can’t say yes to new business.
Recruitment lag – The longer you wait, the longer it takes to ramp back up when things turn.
How Sherpa Can Help: Flexible Hiring, Without the Commitment
At Sherpa, we work with companies just like yours, Charlotte-based, 50–200 employees, navigating uncertainty without stalling progress.
Our contract and contract-to-hire staffing solutions let you:
Fill skill gaps quickly without a long-term headcount commitment
Test roles and team fits before making a permanent offer
Keep work moving while staying nimble in an unpredictable economy
Need one extra set of hands in Accounting? An HR pro to handle seasonal hiring? A Marketing specialist to finally launch that campaign? We have the talent ready to plug in and there’s real value in taking advantage of contract staffing. According to the American Staffing Association, companies that use temporary or contract workers can save on labor costs compared to hiring full-time employees, when factoring in benefits, payroll taxes, and onboarding expenses.
Here’s What We’re Seeing Right Now
Middle-market companies across Charlotte are:
- Filling 3–6 month project roles
- Replacing burnout by shifting workloads to contractors
- Using contract-to-hire as a “try before you buy” solution
They’re not waiting – and they’re not getting left behind. A recent article by Humand noted that “hiring agility can be a game-changer, especially when deadlines are tight or specific expertise is needed on short notice.” Compared to full-time hires, contract workers can essentially start “on-demand”, helping their companies to be increasing nimble and responsive.
Don’t let uncertainty paralyze your progress. If you’re not sure whether you need help full-time, that’s okay. Sherpa is built for this. We’ll work with you to build a flexible plan that fits your budget and your goals.
Let’s keep your business moving forward.
📩 Contact us today to discuss flexible staffing options that match the moment.
