Palm Desert, CA – November 23, 2022 – Five years ago, the AtWork SoCal team met to propose serving a huge underground industry making a transition to legalization. After a unanimous vote in favor, AtWork became the first major national staffing company to begin serving the Cannabis Industry’s contingent labor needs.
AtWork Palm Desert began making inroads, building relationships, and solving complex staffing challenges for newly established cannabis businesses. The company set out to standardize industry HR practices, helping fledgling cannabis companies comply with California’s stringent employer requirements. Using AtWork’s professional staffing services allowed them to concentrate on growing their business as opposed to dealing with HR headaches.
“What we discovered was a young industry in need of our Human Resources expertise in terms of compliant labor practices,” said AtWork CEO Gregg Hassler, “and of course there was the banking issue. Not being able to accept large amounts of cash for payroll presented its own challenges.”
The company quickly devoted resources to the industry by getting involved, hosting and regularly participating in cannabis Human Resources events, and supporting CVCAN as a Charter Member. After five years, AtWork is the #1 supplier of Cannabis Industry contingent labor and direct hire placements in Southern California and the Coachella Valley.
Today, the industry has reached a certain level of maturity. AtWork has placed hundreds of employees into not just temporary cannabis assignments but also many full-time, direct-hire career positions. As the Employer of Record, AtWork takes care of all HR functions, partnering with cannabis employers to build winning workforce teams.
“Just last month we converted thirty people from our payroll to direct hire cannabis employment,” said Alicia Wilkins, Palm Desert AtWork Manager, “When employers hire our temps directly, it is the ideal culmination of the temp to hire process, for everyone. The employer is happy because together we built a team they feel confident in. The employees are happy because they now have access to the employer’s full benefits and other perks not normally available to temps. We are happy because we get to see our clients and employees succeed, and client referrals are our #1 source of new business. If we have done our job correctly, it is a win-win for all.”
“We believe in the Industry, its people and its future,” Hassler said. “As long-time supporters of cannabis legalization, we can’t wait to see where it goes from here.”
AtWork SoCal is an award-winning full-service employment agency with a strong focus and dedication to the Cannabis Industry. The AtWork Cannabis division is a proud supporter of Industry objectives and advancement. For more information, please visit www.420atwork.com.