FAQ – For Companies
We have compiled the most important questions for you.
Frequently Asked Questions from Companies to ARWA Personaldienstleistungen GmbH
What does a personnel service provider do?
Personnel service providers act as intermediaries between job seekers and companies. We handle recruitment for our clients and job searches for our employees. The two main areas of focus are temporary staffing (employee leasing) and direct recruitment.
In temporary staffing, a "triangular relationship" exists between the employee (temporary worker), the personnel service provider (lender, e.g., ARWA), and the company (lessee). In most cases, the lender receives a personnel request from the lessee and can quickly provide qualified employees as needed.
At ARWA, we also provide ready-to-move-in housing for our employees, depending on the assignment, and offer transportation services. Our ARWA branches provide a company-owned shuttle service between employees' homes and workplaces. Support before, during, and after assignments is a key part of our service for both clients and employees and is guaranteed even outside of working hours.
In direct recruitment, employees are hired directly by the company (not leased). From the first day, the employee enters an employment relationship with the company, not the personnel service provider. Our full range of services for clients, including on-site and in-house management, can be found under Services.
How are personnel service providers compensated?
Temporary staffing (employee leasing): Companies using temporary staffing pay the personnel service provider an hourly billing rate. This covers the employee's wages, social security contributions, and the service provider's operating costs.
Direct recruitment: When a candidate is successfully placed, the recruiter receives a placement fee from the client.
Why are personnel service providers important for the economy?
Temporary work helps reduce unemployment, provides a successful (re)entry into the job market, and creates career opportunities. This is why it is considered an economic driver.
We offer job opportunities for all qualification levels. Attractive salary models and employee benefits have made temporary work a desirable career option for many job seekers. It provides great growth potential for both low-skilled workers and highly qualified professionals.
Young professionals, in particular, benefit from temporary work after completing their training, as it helps them gain experience and find their place in the job market.
Moreover, flexibility is a major advantage for businesses. Companies can adjust their workforce to match demand, making temporary staffing an essential tool for economic stability. Temporary work is also considered an early indicator of economic trends, as it reacts quickly to economic upturns and downturns.
What does ARWA Personaldienstleistungen GmbH do?
With more than 80 branches across Germany, ARWA Personaldienstleistungen GmbH employs approximately 4,000 temporary workers. Our branches handle customer service and temporary worker support on-site. We provide recruitment and employee management services nationwide.
Each temporary assignment is carefully planned, drawing on over 40 years of experience across multiple industries. We ensure that temporary workers receive all necessary information and work materials, such as tools or protective clothing.
International recruitment, especially from countries like Poland, also plays an important role in our operations.
Our head office in Nieder-Olm manages administrative tasks, including payroll processing for external employees and client invoicing, while also supporting branch offices in their daily operations.
What are the main tasks of a personnel service provider?
Recruitment: Finding suitable candidates through job postings to fill client vacancies.
Assignment planning: Ensuring that employees are in the right place at the right time, with all necessary information and equipment.
International recruitment: Hiring candidates from countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Croatia. Candidates are pre-screened and ranked based on their suitability.
Employee support: We assist employees before, during, and after their assignments with any concerns they may have.
Client support: Advising businesses on optimal staffing solutions, selecting suitable candidates, and expanding service offerings.
Direct recruitment: Searching for candidates based on client requirements, conducting interviews, and arranging placements.
What is employee leasing (temporary staffing)?
Personnel service providers support companies in recruitment and workforce management. By leasing employees on a short- or medium-term basis, they help businesses manage seasonal peaks and staff shortages.
ARWA recruits both locally and internationally, ensuring a broad selection of qualified candidates.
Not only do companies benefit from our services, but employees also enjoy multiple advantages:
Furnished housing and transportation services during assignments.
Weekly advance payments upon request.
Access to multiple job offers in their region with standardized pay rates.
What does a personnel recruiter do?
Personnel recruiters help companies find suitable employees for open positions. At ARWA, we leverage a broad international network to identify the best candidates.
Recruiters are responsible for:
Defining job requirements based on client needs.
Matching candidates with company requirements.
Conducting interviews and pre-screening applicants.
Facilitating placement and ensuring a smooth hiring process.
After successful placement, the recruiter receives a placement fee from the employer.
Who pays temporary workers?
Temporary workers are paid by the personnel service provider (not the client company).
We handle:
Salary payments
Health insurance registration
Payroll processing and tax deductions
Temporary workers contact the personnel service provider for any payroll-related inquiries.
How is vacation managed for temporary workers?
Vacation entitlement is determined according to the German Federal Vacation Act (BUrlG).
Minimum legal vacation: 24 days per year.
ARWA vacation policy:
20 days in the first 6 months.
25 days after 6 months.
Up to 30 days based on length of service.
Temporary workers apply for vacation through ARWA, not through the client company, since ARWA is the official employer.
How much do temporary workers earn at ARWA?
As of October 1, 2024, the minimum hourly wage for temporary workers at ARWA is €14.00 (according to the iGZ-DGB collective agreement).
Additional compensation:
Higher pay for skilled workers
Industry-specific bonuses
Night, Sunday, and holiday pay
Continued pay during sick leave
Vacation and Christmas bonuses
What is the difference between temporary work and employee leasing?
There is no difference between temporary work and employee leasing—they are simply different terms for the same concept.
A temporary worker (leased employee) is employed by the personnel service provider but works at a client company for a limited time.
What does short-time work mean for temporary workers?
Short-time work means that working hours are temporarily reduced due to economic downturns, leading to lower wages.
Temporary workers receive short-time work benefits:
60% of their net salary (67% for employees with children).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary workers were also eligible for extended short-time work benefits to prevent layoffs.
How long can someone stay with a temporary employment agency?
A temporary worker can be employed indefinitely by a personnel service provider.
However, there is a legal maximum assignment duration:
18 months at the same client company (unless a collective agreement extends this period).
After 3 months + 1 day of interruption, the worker can be reassigned to the same client.
If needed, the worker can continue employment at ARWA with a new assignment at another company.