What Express Employment Professionals Does
Express Employment Professionals is a staffing agency that matches job seekers with temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent positions across industries. The company operates through a network of franchise locations in the United States, Canada, and other countries. When you work with Express, you register with a local branch, and their staff help place you in roles that match your skills and availability.
The agency handles the hiring paperwork, payroll, and benefits administration for temporary positions — meaning Express is technically your employer during temp assignments, even though you work at a client company's location. For permanent placements, Express connects you with employers who hire you directly.
Express focuses on roles in light industrial, office, healthcare, and skilled trades. The types of jobs available depend on your local branch's client base and current openings.
Key Takeaways
- Express Employment Professionals is a staffing agency with local franchise branches that place workers in temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent jobs.
- For temporary assignments, Express is your employer and handles your paycheck and tax withholding, even though you work at a client company.
- You register at a local branch with your resume and work history, and staff there match you to open positions.
- Pay rates and benefits vary by location, assignment type, and industry, so contact your local branch for specifics.
- Temp-to-hire roles let you work as a temporary employee first, with the option to become permanent if both you and the employer agree.
How to Register With a Local Branch
Start by finding the Express Employment Professionals location nearest you. You can search their website by zip code or city to locate branches in your area. Call or visit in person — most branches accept walk-ins, though scheduling an appointment can reduce wait time.
Bring a valid photo ID, Social Security number, and your resume or a list of your work history. The branch staff will ask about your job preferences, availability, skills, and any certifications or licenses you hold. They may also ask about your transportation and whether you can work overtime or travel to assignments.
Express will likely run a background check and may conduct a skills assessment depending on the types of roles you're seeking. Once your registration is complete, the branch staff will contact you when positions matching your profile become available.
Temporary Assignments and How Pay Works
When Express places you in a temporary role, you work under an assignment agreement that specifies the job location, expected duration, hourly rate, and start date. The assignment may last a few days, weeks, or months depending on the client's need.
Express is your employer during the assignment, so they handle your paycheck, tax withholding, and workers' compensation insurance. You typically receive pay weekly or biweekly, depending on the branch. The hourly rate varies based on the job type, your experience, and your location — Express does not publish standard rates, so ask your branch what they're offering for the specific role.
If an assignment ends, you return to the available pool and can be placed in another role. There is no may provide of continuous work between assignments, so some weeks you may not have a placement.
Temp-to-Hire Positions and Permanent Placement
A temp-to-hire role means you start as a temporary employee through Express, and if both you and the client company want to continue the relationship, the company can hire you directly as a permanent employee. The temporary period typically lasts 90 days, though this varies by client and role.
During the temp period, you're still employed by Express and receive your paycheck from them. If the client decides to hire you permanently, Express and the client coordinate the transition, and you become that company's direct employee. At that point, you receive benefits and pay directly from the client, not from Express.
Express also handles permanent placements where they connect you with a company that hires you directly from the start, with no temporary period. These roles are less common than temp assignments but do exist depending on your skills and local demand.
Benefits and Insurance During Temporary Work
Benefits during a temporary assignment depend on the assignment length and your branch's policies. Some temporary positions include workers' compensation insurance (which covers injury on the job) but may not include health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off. Longer assignments or certain industries may offer more benefits — ask your branch what's included with the specific role you're offered.
If you're placed in a temp-to-hire role that converts to permanent employment, you'll transition to the client company's benefits plan at that time. The client company decides what benefits they offer, not Express.
For temporary assignments, keep in mind that you are responsible for your own health insurance if it's not provided. Some workers use the Affordable Care Act marketplace or Medicaid during periods between assignments.
What Happens if an Assignment Ends Early
If a temporary assignment ends before the expected date — because the client's project wrapped up early, they reduced hours, or for other reasons — Express will stop your paychecks from that assignment. You return to the available pool and can be placed in another role if one matches your profile.
There is no severance or continued pay between assignments. If you need income during gaps, you may want to discuss with your branch whether they can prioritize placing you in back-to-back assignments or longer-term roles.
If you are terminated from an assignment for performance or conduct reasons, Express will document this in your file. Serious issues may affect your ability to be placed in future roles, though the specifics depend on your branch's policies.
Questions to Ask Your Local Branch
When you register or are offered a position, ask your branch these questions to understand what you're getting into:
- What is the hourly rate for this specific role, and does it include any shift differentials or overtime premiums?
- What benefits are included with this assignment (workers' compensation, health insurance, paid time off)?
- How long is the assignment expected to last, and what happens if it ends early?
- For temp-to-hire roles, what is the typical timeline before a decision is made about permanent hire?
- How often does your branch have openings in my field, and what is the typical gap between assignments?
- What is the process if I need to decline an assignment or take time off?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get paid for time off or holidays while on a temporary assignment?
Paid time off and holiday pay depend on the specific assignment and your branch's agreement with the client company. Most temporary assignments do not include paid holidays or vacation days — you are paid only for hours worked. Ask your branch before accepting an assignment if paid time off is important to you.
Can I work for multiple staffing agencies at the same time?
Yes, you can register with multiple staffing agencies. However, tell each agency about your other registrations so they don't send you to conflicting assignments. Some client companies have agreements with specific staffing agencies, so having multiple options can increase your placement chances.
What if I'm offered a job but can't start on the date they want?
Contact your branch when ready and explain the conflict. They may be able to negotiate a different start date with the client, or they can offer you a different assignment. Declining or no-showing for assignments without notice can damage your relationship with the branch and affect future placements.
How do I know if a temp-to-hire role will actually lead to permanent employment?
Ask your branch what the client's track record is for converting temp workers to permanent staff. Some clients use temp-to-hire as a trial period and regularly hire people permanently; others rarely convert. Your performance during the temp period matters, but the client's hiring needs and budget also play a role.
What happens to my paycheck if the client company doesn't pay Express on time?
Express is responsible for paying you on schedule regardless of when the client pays them. If you don't receive a paycheck on the expected date, contact your branch when ready — this is a serious issue that needs to be resolved quickly.