Recruitment Agency in Reading
Workers Direct is a recruitment agency in Reading that helps local businesses hire dependable temporary, contract and permanent staff — for urgent cover, seasonal demand, one-off projects and ongoing recruitment. From our base at Arlington Business Park in Theale, Reading RG7, we support employers across Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley.
Work with us to access flexible staff at short notice, reduce the pressure of vacant shifts, streamline candidate sourcing and screening, and scale your team up or down as demand changes.
- Temporary Staff
- Permanent Recruitment
- Same-Day Cover
- High-Volume Hiring
- Workforce Planning
Looking for work in Reading? View current jobs.
Request Staff in Reading
Tell us what cover you need and a member of the team will get back to you.
Flexible Staffing Support for Reading Businesses
Employers turn to a recruitment agency when the day-to-day simply won't stretch to cover the gap. That might be sickness absence or a last-minute no-show, a seasonal peak, a new contract that needs bodies on the ground quickly, an event, a short project, business expansion, or weekend and night shifts that are hard to fill internally. Whatever the trigger, the goal is the same: fewer unfilled shifts and less recruitment workload for your team.
Rapid response for absence and sudden demand, subject to availability.
One partner for flexible cover and long-term hires.
People matched to the role, not just a headcount.
Reach the team outside office hours when cover can't wait.
Want the fuller picture? Read why businesses choose Workers Direct, or read our service guarantee to understand how we stand behind placements.
Staffing Services from a Local Recruiter in Reading
As a local recruitment agency, we cover the roles Reading and Thames Valley employers ask for most. Each route below is built around getting the right person into the right shift with the least fuss for your managers.
Temporary Staffing
Flexible workers for single shifts, ad-hoc cover and longer assignments — scale as demand moves.
Temporary staffing servicesPermanent Recruitment
Sourcing and shortlisting for permanent hires across commercial, industrial and office roles.
Explore permanent recruitmentWarehouse & Industrial
Operatives, pickers, packers and industrial support for busy sites and fulfilment operations.
Warehouse staffHospitality & Catering
Front-of-house, kitchen and banqueting staff for hotels, venues, canteens and functions.
Hospitality staffConstruction Staffing
Labourers, site operatives and trades supplied to sites — we staff projects, we don't run them.
Construction staffOffice, Reception & Admin
Administrators, receptionists, data-entry and customer service to keep operations moving.
Reception staffEvent Staffing
Stewards, set-up crew, registration and hospitality support for events of all sizes.
Event staffCleaning & Support
Commercial cleaners plus packing and driving support — packing staff and van drivers where confirmed for the role.
Picker & packer staffingTemp Agency in Reading for Urgent and Flexible Cover
Workers Direct operates as a temp agency in Reading for businesses that need temporary workers for anything from a single shift to a longer contract. Whether it's ad-hoc cover, a busy peak season, or an ongoing assignment, we aim to keep your rota full without adding to your admin.
Same-Day Temp Staff
Urgent warehouse, driving, cleaning and admin workers, subject to availability, when a gap appears without warning.
Seasonal & Peak Staffing
Extra hands for Christmas, summer, e-commerce demand and project peaks so busy periods don't overwhelm your team.
Weekend & Night Shift Staff
Cover for warehouses, factories and hospitality on out-of-hours rotas that are hard to fill internally.
Short-Notice Cover
Support for sickness, absence, sudden demand and no-shows, with candidates matched to the role.
Event & Ad-Hoc Temp Staff
Set-up, stewarding, catering, clearing and one-off project crews for events across Berkshire.
You can find temporary staff in Reading through our local team, work with a dedicated temporary recruitment agency in Reading, or reach out for urgent temporary recruitment support. Ready to go now? Request staff for your next shift.
Permanent Staff Recruitment and Talent Sourcing
A Reading recruiter should do more than fill shifts. Alongside flexible cover, we support permanent hiring — sourcing, assessing and shortlisting candidates so your managers spend less time screening CVs and more time meeting the right people.
Permanent Staff Recruitment
Hire permanent staff in Reading, RG7 and Berkshire for office, warehouse, hospitality, retail and customer service roles.
Candidate Sourcing & Screening
We source, assess and shortlist relevant candidates against the requirements you set for the role.
High-Volume Recruitment
Recruit multiple workers at once for new contracts, growth and seasonal demand, planned around your timeline.
Office Staff Recruitment
Administrators, receptionists, data-entry clerks, customer service advisers, PAs and executive assistants.
Short-Notice Recruitment
Support for urgent vacancies and last-minute workforce gaps when a role can't stay open.
Specialist & Contract Placement
Skilled talent sourcing, talent-pool management, executive and specialist placement, plus contract, freelance and commercial sales temps.
Planning a new role? You can use the UK salary calculator when planning a role to benchmark pay before you advertise. For due diligence, review background-check considerations for employers, and if you're covering a front desk, see our guidance on hiring a temporary receptionist. We're careful about role fit — not every candidate suits every role, so selection is always based on the specific requirements of the job.
Warehouse, Industrial and Logistics Staff in Reading
For warehouses, fulfilment centres, distribution operations and manufacturers around Reading, Theale and the M4 corridor, we supply reliable operational staff who can slot into your processes quickly.
Warehouse Operatives
Picking, packing, loading, unloading, sorting and general warehouse duties for busy sites.
Pickers & Packers
Order picking, packing, labelling, scanning, quality checks and dispatch during standard and peak volumes.
Goods-In & Dispatch
Stock checks, order processing, pallet movement, loading bays and shipment preparation.
Loaders & Unloaders
Container unloading, pallet handling and stock movement to keep goods flowing.
Forklift & MHE Support
Candidates with relevant experience for counterbalance, reach truck and materials-handling roles. Licence status is confirmed for the role before placement.
Driving & Logistics
Class 1, Class 2, 7.5-tonne and van drivers where the service is genuinely supplied and credentials are confirmed for the role.
Explore our warehouse staffing support, hire pickers and packers, look into wider industrial staffing services or arrange temporary van drivers. Reach-truck and VNA experience? See VNA forklift opportunities in Reading.
- Day shifts, night shifts and weekend shifts
- Peak-season cover and ongoing assignments
Office Staff Recruitment in Reading
When a desk is empty, work backs up fast. We support administrative and customer-facing teams with administrators, office assistants, receptionists, front-desk and virtual reception cover, personal assistants, executive assistants, accounts administrators, data-entry staff, customer service advisers and commercial sales temps — so your day-to-day keeps moving and visitors get a professional welcome.
Browse current office assistant vacancies in Reading, arrange temporary office assistant recruitment, or set up virtual receptionist hiring support for calls and enquiries. We also cover front-desk receptionist opportunities, help you hire reception staff and provide personal assistant staffing. For phone-heavy teams, read our live answering service guidance. Concierge cover is also available — ask about concierge staff in Reading.
Hospitality, Catering, Event and Cleaning Staff
Workers Direct supplies staff into hospitality, catering, events, cleaning and school settings across Reading and Berkshire. We place people into these sectors — we don't operate as a caterer, event manager or cleaning contractor ourselves.
Hospitality and Catering Staff
Catering assistants, chefs, cooks, kitchen staff, kitchen porters, waiting staff, bar staff, hosts, front-of-house and banqueting support for hotels, restaurants, corporate dining, schools, canteens, weddings, functions and conferences. See our hospitality staff and temporary catering staff options, book a kitchen porter, or view banquet waiter roles in Reading.
Event Staffing
Event staff hire including stewards and marshals, promotional staff and brand ambassadors, set-up and break-down crew, plus registration and hospitality teams for exhibitions, corporate events, festivals, product launches, conferences and weddings. Learn more about event staffing in Reading.
Commercial and Office Cleaning Staff
Commercial cleaning staff, office cleaners, warehouse and industrial cleaners, hospitality and kitchen cleaners, and event and venue cleaners — for short-notice cover, regular shifts, early mornings, evenings and weekends. Browse temporary cleaner roles in Reading, hire temporary cleaners, or arrange site cleaner recruitment.
School and Caretaking Cover
We supply school support and premises cover in a factual, role-appropriate way, including caretakers and housekeeping support. Where children or vulnerable people are involved, relevant checks and credentials are confirmed for the role before placement. See our school staffing services, arrange caretaker cover in Reading, or find housekeeping work in Reading.
Construction Recruitment Agency in Reading
As a construction staffing agency, Workers Direct supplies temporary and permanent construction personnel to sites across Reading and Berkshire. To be clear, we're a recruiter — we provide the people, we don't act as the main contractor.
We can help you hire construction labourers in Reading and beyond: general labourers, site operatives, groundworkers, skilled trades staff, site cleaners, traffic marshals, gatemen, site security and access support, plant operators and machine drivers, plus demolition, groundworks and M&E fit-out support. Where a role calls for a CSCS card or a CPCS/NPORS ticket, those credentials are treated as role-specific requirements that can be verified for the placement — not a blanket promise across every worker.
Explore our construction staffing services, hire skilled construction workers in Reading, or find construction workers in Reading. We also cover traffic marshal roles in Reading, Reading labourer and painter opportunities, and property handyman jobs in Reading.
Tell us your project timeline, the number of workers, shift patterns and the skills or tickets each role requires, and we'll plan the supply around it.
Recruitment Consultants and Workforce Planning for Berkshire Employers
Beyond filling roles, our consultants help you think ahead. That means practical advice on sourcing and hiring strategy for both temporary and permanent positions, and a plan that flexes with your operation.
Recruitment Consultant
Advice on staffing, sourcing and hiring strategy for temp and permanent roles.
Staffing Solutions
Tailored temporary and permanent staffing plans built around your business.
Workforce Planning
Forecast seasonal demand, scale teams up or down, and plan labour requirements in advance.
Onsite Managed Services
Where appropriate and available, onsite managed staffing can support high-volume operations.
Compliance & Vetting
Role-appropriate checks, right-to-work processes, references and other requirements can be discussed and confirmed.
The aim throughout is operational continuity and genuine role fit, so your teams stay productive and your managers spend less time on recruitment admin.
Latest Jobs in Reading and Berkshire
Looking for temporary or permanent work? Browse current Reading vacancies, from warehouse and hospitality shifts to reception, construction and cleaning roles. Jobs change regularly, so check the latest vacancies or contact the team. You can browse all current jobs or view temporary jobs to see what's live right now.
| Job Title | Sector | Location | Job Type | Pay | Posted | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New roles are added regularly. View all current jobs or contact Workers Direct to discuss available work. | ||||||
See How Workers Direct Supports Employers and Job Seekers
These short videos give an overview of Workers Direct and how businesses and candidates can engage with the team. For more, subscribe on our channel.
Recruitment Support Across Reading, Theale and Berkshire
Our Reading location is based at Arlington Business Park in Theale, Reading RG7 4SA, and we support employers across Reading, RG7, Berkshire and the Thames Valley. Depending on the role and shift pattern, that coverage extends naturally to Reading town centre, Theale, Green Park and Thames Valley Park, as well as Winnersh, Wokingham, Bracknell, Newbury and nearby Berkshire locations where service coverage is appropriate.
Being local matters: it means shorter travel times for candidates, better knowledge of the sites and transport links around the M4 corridor, and quicker conversations when a shift needs covering.
Workers DirectArlington Business Park
Theale, Reading RG7 4SA
Tel: 0118 230 4153
24/7 Helpline: +44 333 188 0008
Email: [email protected]
Recruitment Agency Reading FAQs
How quickly can I hire temporary staff in Reading?
For many roles we can move quickly, and same-day or next-shift cover is often possible, subject to availability. The realistic timeframe depends on the role, location, shift and how much notice you can give. Call us early in the day for the best chance of same-day cover, and we'll be straight with you about what's achievable.
Can Workers Direct provide short-notice staff cover?
Yes — short-notice and urgent cover for sickness, absence and sudden demand is a core part of what we do. Availability varies by role and shift, so the sooner you tell us what you need, the more options we can offer. Our 24/7 helpline on +44 333 188 0008 means you can reach us outside office hours too.
Which sectors does your Reading recruitment agency support?
We supply staff into warehouse and industrial, office and reception, hospitality and catering, events, cleaning, construction and driving and logistics, among others. You can see the full range on our staffing services page.
Do you recruit permanent staff as well as temporary workers?
Yes. Alongside temporary and contract cover, we handle permanent recruitment — sourcing, screening and shortlisting candidates against your requirements so you interview the right people and save time on the process.
Can you help with high-volume warehouse recruitment?
We do. For new contracts, growth or seasonal peaks, we can recruit multiple warehouse and industrial workers and plan the supply around your ramp-up. Share the numbers, shift patterns and start dates and we'll build a plan.
Do you supply hospitality, catering and event staff in Reading?
Yes — front-of-house, kitchen, banqueting and event crews for hotels, venues, functions and conferences. We supply the people into these sectors; we don't operate as a caterer or event manager ourselves.
Can I hire construction labourers and skilled trades staff?
We supply general labourers, site operatives, groundworkers, skilled trades, traffic marshals and more to sites across Reading and Berkshire. Where a role requires a CSCS card or CPCS/NPORS ticket, that credential is confirmed for the specific placement rather than assumed for every worker.
What details should I provide when requesting staff?
The most useful details are the role or job title, the number of workers, the location and site, the start date and shift pattern, the sector, and any skills, tickets or credentials the role requires. The more you share, the faster and more accurately we can match candidates.
Are checks and credentials discussed for role-specific placements?
Yes. Role-appropriate checks, right-to-work processes, references and other requirements are discussed and confirmed for the role in question. We don't apply blanket claims — we confirm what's genuinely needed for each placement.
How can job seekers find current Reading vacancies?
Browse our current jobs or temporary vacancies to see what's live. Roles are added regularly, so it's worth checking back or contacting the team to register your interest for suitable work.
Need Staff in Reading?
Whether you need a single temporary worker, a full shift team, permanent recruitment support or help planning a high-volume campaign, Workers Direct is ready to discuss the requirement and put a plan in place.
Looking for work? Browse all jobs.
