Employers are failing to make the most of temporary workers, according to Investors in People, with many lacking the foresight to establish basic systems for managing and motivating these workers to contribute to company goals.

As part of National Temporary Workers Week, this week, IIP is urging employers to work smarter in the way they use the pool of temporary talent that forms a permanent part of the UK's workforce.

There are now some 1.4 million registered temps in the UK, but IIP believes employers need better specification of roles, greater commitment to inductions and more effective motivation of staff to ensure temps are effectively inspired and supported to play their part in driving business progress.

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive of IIP, said that temporary workers were "essential but under-appreciated".

She added: "Employers frequently see temps simply as a 'band-aid', when they should be treated as an integral part of the workforce that, if well managed and motivated, can make a massive contribution to any organisation's bottom line. Employers have to realise that getting the most from temps requires planning and attention in the same way as other employee groups."

IIP recommends a number of steps to help employers address the issue, from enhanced workforce planning (for example, frequent skills audits and development plans) to specific tactical measures (for example, the 'trainstorm' technique, a whistle-stop tour of company principles, customer service standards and key 'dos and don'ts' to give temps a rapid induction into the organisation).