Recruitment Agency Birmingham Employers Call When a Shift Can't Wait
Warehouse, hospitality, construction, cleaning, care, driving and office staff for Birmingham businesses. Vetted, right-to-work checked and on site, often the same day.
In short: Workers Direct is a recruitment agency in Birmingham, based at Brunswick Square (B1 2LP), that supplies temporary, temp-to-perm and permanent staff to employers across the city and the West Midlands. We cover warehouse, industrial, hospitality, catering, cleaning, construction, care, driving and admin roles. Most bookings are filled within 24 hours and many on the same day. Call 0121 661 2693, or the 24/7 line on +44 333 188 0008.
Reliable Staff for Birmingham Businesses, Without the Chase
Nobody plans for a no-show at 5:40am. Or a lorry arriving two hours early with nobody to tip it. Or a wedding party of 220 where two of your waiting staff have just texted in sick. If you run a business in Birmingham, you'll know these mornings well. That's the part of the job we take off your plate.
We're a Birmingham staffing agency with an office on Brunswick Square, a short walk from Brindleyplace. Our recruiters spend their days talking to local workers, not reading CVs from the other end of the country. So when a warehouse in Tyseley needs six pickers tonight, or a site manager in Digbeth needs two CSCS labourers by 7am, we already know who's free, who has their own transport and who's done that kind of work before.
We work with employers in a few different ways. Some book us for a single shift. Others use us as their outsourced recruitment team, running all their temporary staffing and some permanent hires too. Plenty start with a temp worker, like them, and move them onto their own payroll a few months later. Whichever route suits, you deal with one contact, get one weekly invoice and don't have to worry about holiday pay, PAYE or right-to-work paperwork. We sort it.
If you've used other recruitment agencies in Birmingham before and been let down by people who didn't turn up, or a phone that rang out at the weekend, have a look at our guarantee. If a worker isn't right, we replace them. No arguments.
Quick links for employers
The Hiring Problems Birmingham Employers Tell Us About Every Week
We hear the same frustrations from warehouse managers, head chefs, site managers and care coordinators across the city. Here's what keeps coming up, and what we actually do about it.
😩 People not turning up
One no-show on a picking line or a busy pass can wreck a whole shift. Every worker we send gets a call the night before and a check-in on the morning. If someone drops out, a replacement is already being lined up before you notice.
⏳ Adverts that go nowhere
Posting a job, sifting 200 applications and chasing interviews can take three to six weeks. Our candidates are already interviewed, referenced and right-to-work checked, so most roles are filled in 24 to 48 hours.
💷 Rising staff costs
The National Living Wage went up to £12.71 in April 2026, and employer National Insurance rose the year before. Temps through us carry no recruitment fee, no sick pay liability and no holiday accrual on your books, so you pay for the hours you use.
📦 Peaks you can't staff for
Black Friday, Christmas, conference season at the NEC and ICC, summer events, stock takes. Hiring permanent staff for a six-week peak makes no sense. We scale your team up for the rush and back down when it's over.
🌙 Nights and weekends nobody wants
Night shifts in logistics, Sunday covers in care homes, late finishes in hospitality. We keep a separate pool of workers who actually prefer unsocial hours, so you aren't begging your day team to pick them up.
📑 Compliance worries
Right-to-work checks, Agency Worker Regulations after 12 weeks, CSCS cards, DBS checks for care, food hygiene for kitchens. Getting any of it wrong can mean fines. We check it all before anyone sets foot on your site and keep the records.
🔄 High staff turnover
Spending money training people who leave after three weeks hurts. With temp-to-perm, you see someone work for real before you offer a contract. The ones who stay tend to stay for years.
🧩 Skills gaps
Counterbalance and reach truck drivers, HGV Class 1 drivers, experienced chefs and qualified electricians are hard to find in Birmingham right now. We recruit for these all year round, so we're not starting from zero when you call.
Doing it yourself vs using Workers Direct
| What you need | Hiring in-house | With Workers Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Time to fill | Typically 3 to 6 weeks | Same day to 48 hours |
| Advertising & screening | Job board fees, your managers' time | Included |
| Right-to-work & references | Your responsibility | Done before placement |
| Payroll, PAYE, holiday pay | Your payroll team | We run it, one invoice |
| Sickness or no-show cover | Ring round, hope for the best | Replacement sent fast |
| Commitment | Contract, notice, redundancy risk | Book by the shift, week or month |
Why Birmingham Employers Stick With Workers Direct
⚡ Fast cover, any hour
Our 24/7 helpline is answered by a recruiter, not a voicemail. Call at 6am on a Monday or 10pm on a Saturday and someone will start sorting cover straight away.
👷 One agency, every role
Warehouse operatives, chefs, kitchen porters, cleaners, labourers, drivers, support workers, receptionists. You don't need five agencies on speed dial.
📍 Proper local knowledge
We know which workers can get to Minworth for a 6am start without a car and who lives ten minutes from Castle Bromwich. Realistic commutes mean people actually arrive.
🔄 Flexible terms
Short-term, long-term, seasonal, contract and temp-to-perm. Scale up for a busy month and back down after, with no long notice periods.
🧾 No paperwork headaches
Timesheets, pay, PAYE, National Insurance and holiday pay are handled through our payroll service. You sign off the hours and that's it.
🛡️ Free replacements
Not happy with someone? Tell us and we'll swap them. See why employers trust us for how we keep standards up.
Short of staff this week?
Tell us the role, shift and site. We'll come back with names, usually within the hour.
Hire Staff TodayStaffing and Recruitment Services in Birmingham
These are the seven areas Birmingham employers book us for most. Each one covers same day temp cover, longer contracts and permanent recruitment.
1. Temporary Staffing and Emergency Cover
The core of what we do. Whether you need to hire temp staff for one shift or a flexible team for six months, our temporary staffing service and temporary staffing agency in Birmingham cover sickness, holidays, sudden orders and project work. If you've been searching for a temp agency in Birmingham that picks up the phone, read our guide to temp agencies in Birmingham.
- Same day temp workers
- Last minute shift cover
- Short term staff hire
- Seasonal staffing
- Temp to perm recruitment
- Contract and project staff
2. Warehouse and Industrial Recruitment
Birmingham sits in the middle of the UK's busiest logistics corridor, with sites at Minworth, Hams Hall, Tyseley, Castle Bromwich and along the M6 and M42. As a warehouse recruitment agency in Birmingham, we supply warehouse staff, pickers and packers, packing staff and industrial staff for fulfilment centres, 3PLs, food producers and manufacturers. See our page on hiring warehouse staff in Birmingham or compare the top warehouse agencies in Birmingham.
- Warehouse operatives
- Forklift drivers (counterbalance, reach)
- Pickers and packers
- Goods-in and dispatch
- Production operatives
- Parcel sorters and night shift staff
3. Hospitality and Catering Staff
From Broad Street bars to banqueting at the ICC, Edgbaston match days and hotel kitchens in the city centre, hospitality in Birmingham runs on people who can walk in and get on with it. We're a hospitality and catering recruitment agency for hotels, restaurants, event venues, contract caterers and schools. Book catering staff, see hospitality staffing in Birmingham or read our round-up of the top hospitality recruitment agencies in Birmingham and catering recruiters in the city.
- Kitchen porters
- Chefs and temporary chefs
- Waiters and bar staff
- Catering assistants
- Event and banqueting staff
- Hotel housekeeping
4. Construction and Labour Hire
With HS2 works at Curzon Street, the Smithfield regeneration and a steady pipeline of residential schemes, construction recruitment in Birmingham is busy. We supply construction staff to contractors, developers and refurbishment firms. If you need a labouring agency in Birmingham, find a labourer here, or read about construction recruitment in Birmingham.
- CSCS labourers
- Groundworkers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Electricians and mates
- Site cleaners
- Maintenance operatives
5. Support Workers and Care Staff
Care providers, supported living services and disability support organisations across Birmingham need support workers who are DBS checked, reliable and kind. We place support workers for adults, learning disability services and complex care packages. See support worker recruitment in Birmingham.
- Support workers
- Disability support workers
- Care assistants
- Night support staff
6. Drivers, Cleaners and Facilities Staff
Couriers, wholesalers and builders' merchants book van drivers and HGV drivers through us for route cover and peak demand. Offices, schools, warehouses and venues book commercial and industrial cleaners. For schools and colleges, see our school staffing service.
- Van and delivery drivers
- HGV Class 1 and 2 drivers
- Drivers' mates
- Office and commercial cleaners
- Industrial cleaners
- Facilities assistants
7. Office, Admin and Reception Staff
Colmore Row firms, clinics, property companies and serviced offices use us for admin staff, reception staff and personal assistants. Need to hire a receptionist next week? See our front desk receptionist page, our guide to receptionist temp agency services, or our article on live and remote answering services if a virtual receptionist suits you better.
- Receptionists and front desk clerks
- Admin assistants
- Temporary secretaries
- Customer service advisors
- Data entry staff
- PAs and office managers
Popular Birmingham staffing requests
Industries We Staff Across Birmingham and the West Midlands
If your business needs people, there's a good chance we've already staffed a site like yours somewhere in the city.
Birmingham Hiring: Facts and Figures for 2026
Useful numbers if you're planning headcount or budgeting for agency staff in Birmingham this year.
Birmingham labour market at a glance
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Birmingham population (Census 2021) | About 1.14 million |
| Jobs in Greater Birmingham | Around 880,000 |
| Job growth in Greater Birmingham since 2015 | Roughly 80,000 extra jobs |
| Greater Birmingham employment rate (16-64) | 72.2% (UK 75.4%) |
| West Midlands employment rate (Aug-Oct 2025) | 73.6% (UK 74.9%) |
| WMCA area claimant rate (Jan 2026) | 9.7% (UK 4.8%) |
What it means for you: there are plenty of people looking for work in Birmingham, but skilled, reliable and properly checked workers still get snapped up quickly. Screening is where the time goes.
UK minimum pay rates from 1 April 2026
| Rate | Per hour | Rise |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.71 | +50p (4.1%) |
| 18-20 year old rate | £10.85 | +85p (8.5%) |
| 16-17 year old rate | £8.00 | +45p (6.0%) |
| Apprentice rate | £8.00 | +45p (6.0%) |
Every agency worker we place is paid at or above the legal minimum for their age, with holiday pay included.
Typical hourly pay for common roles in Birmingham (2026 guide)
| Role | Typical pay to worker | Usual notice we need | Common checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse operative / picker packer | £12.71 - £13.75 | Same day | Right to work, PPE |
| Forklift driver (counterbalance / reach) | £13.50 - £15.50 | Same day to 24 hrs | RTITB / NPORS licence |
| HGV Class 1 driver | £16.00 - £19.50 | 24 - 48 hrs | Licence, CPC, tacho card |
| Kitchen porter | £12.71 - £13.50 | Same day | Right to work |
| Chef de partie / temporary chef | £14.00 - £17.00 | 24 hrs | Food hygiene L2 |
| CSCS labourer | £13.00 - £15.00 | Same day to 24 hrs | CSCS card |
| Support worker | £12.75 - £14.25 | 24 - 72 hrs | Enhanced DBS, training |
| Receptionist / admin assistant | £12.75 - £14.50 | 24 hrs | References |
| Electrician (qualified) | £20.00 - £26.00 | 24 - 72 hrs | 18th Edition, ECS card |
Guide figures based on the roles we fill in Birmingham. Actual pay depends on shift pattern, experience and site. Nights and weekends usually carry a premium. Ask us for a written quote.
Sources: GOV.UK, National Living Wage 2026; University of Birmingham City-REDI, Birmingham Economic Review 2025; Birmingham City Council unemployment update, January 2026; ONS Labour Force Survey; ONS Census 2021.
Latest Jobs in Birmingham
A snapshot of the roles we're filling across Birmingham right now. Employers: this is the kind of talent pool we can send you. Jobseekers: click through to apply.
| Job title | Area | Type | Shift | Typical pay | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Operative | Tyseley / Minworth | Temp, immediate start | Days, lates, nights | £12.71 - £13.75/hr | View → |
| Warehouse Staff (Logistics) | Castle Bromwich | Temp to perm | 4 on 4 off | £13.00 - £14.00/hr | View → |
| Kitchen Porter | City Centre | Temp, weekends | Split shifts | £12.71 - £13.50/hr | View → |
| Production Assistant | Aston | Temp, ongoing | Days | £12.71 - £13.25/hr | View → |
| Electrician | Digbeth / Eastside | Contract | Mon - Fri | £20.00 - £26.00/hr | View → |
| Groundworker | Birmingham sites | Contract | Mon - Sat | £14.00 - £17.00/hr | View → |
| Carpenter | Edgbaston / Selly Oak | Contract | Mon - Fri | £17.00 - £21.00/hr | View → |
| Support Worker | Erdington / Kingstanding | Temp & permanent | Days, waking nights | £12.75 - £14.25/hr | View → |
| Front Desk Receptionist | Colmore Business District | Temp to perm | Mon - Fri | £12.75 - £14.50/hr | View → |
| Temp Placements (mixed roles) | Across Birmingham | Temp | Flexible | From £12.71/hr | View → |
| Temporary Jobs Birmingham | City & suburbs | Temp, weekend work | Varied | From £12.71/hr | View → |
| All UK Jobs | Nationwide | All types | All shifts | Varies | View → |
How to Hire Staff in Birmingham Through Us
Tell us what you need
Role, number of people, site address, start time, shift length, pay rate, PPE and any licences or cards. Five minutes on the phone is usually enough.
We match and confirm
We pick from local workers who've already been interviewed and checked, confirm they can get to you, and send you their names before the shift.
They turn up ready
Workers arrive with the right kit, know who to report to and what the job involves. We check in after the first shift to see how it went.
Keep, extend or hire
Extend the booking, add more staff, or take someone on permanently through temp-to-perm. You approve timesheets, we handle pay.
Areas We Cover Across Birmingham and Nearby Towns
From our office at Brunswick Square, B1 2LP, we supply staff within roughly 30 miles. That covers the whole city, the Black Country and much of Warwickshire and Staffordshire.
City Centre, Jewellery Quarter & Digbeth
Hotels, bars, offices and construction sites needing reception staff, hospitality crews and CSCS labourers.
Tyseley, Small Heath & Bordesley
Industrial units and warehouses booking pickers, packers and production operatives.
Minworth, Castle Bromwich & Hams Hall
Large distribution centres and 3PLs needing forklift drivers and night shift warehouse teams.
Aston, Erdington & Perry Barr
Manufacturers, care providers and food producers booking operatives and support workers.
Edgbaston, Selly Oak & Harborne
Hospitals, universities, match-day hospitality and residential builds.
Solihull, NEC & Birmingham Airport
Event staffing for exhibitions, airport logistics and automotive suppliers.
Sutton Coldfield & Tamworth
Retail, hospitality and warehouse sites along the A38 and M42.
West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Walsall & Dudley
Black Country manufacturers and logistics firms booking industrial staff.
Coventry, Redditch & Bromsgrove
Longer-term contracts and temp-to-perm hiring for growing businesses.
Hiring outside the West Midlands? We also supply warehouse staff in London, temporary warehouse workers in London, Luton and Leicester.
Staff Let You Down This Morning? Call Our 24/7 Line
Emergency temp staff, same day cover, replacement workers after a no-show, event crew for tonight. A recruiter answers every call, any hour, any day.
Call +44 333 188 0008 Birmingham Office: 0121 661 2693Ways to Hire Through Our Birmingham Recruitment Agency
Temporary staff
Shift-based or short-term workers whenever you need extra hands.
Temp to perm
Try someone in the real job before you offer a contract.
Permanent recruitment
Shortlists of checked, interviewed candidates for long-term roles.
Seasonal teams
Christmas, Black Friday, summer events and stock takes.
Payroll only
Found your own workers? We can run the payroll for them.
Free Hiring Resources for Birmingham Employers
Copy them, share them with your team, or link to them from your own site. No sign-up needed.
📋 The 10-point temp booking brief
Send these details with any staffing request and you'll get the right person faster, from any agency.
- Job title and a two-line description of the work
- Number of workers
- Full site address and postcode
- Start date, start time and shift length
- Expected duration of the booking
- Pay rate, including night or weekend premiums
- PPE needed and who provides it
- Licences, cards or certificates required
- Name and number of the person they report to
- Parking, transport and break arrangements
✅ Agency worker compliance checklist
What every employer using agency staff in the UK should have covered.
- Right-to-work checked before the first shift
- Pay at or above National Living Wage (£12.71 from April 2026)
- Paid holiday entitlement from day one
- Equal pay and conditions after 12 weeks in the same role (AWR)
- Access to staff canteen, toilets and facilities from day one
- Site induction and health and safety briefing
- Role-specific checks: DBS, CSCS, FLT licence, food hygiene
- Working Time Regulations: rest breaks and 48-hour limit unless opted out
📅 Birmingham peak hiring calendar
| Jan - Feb | Returns processing, stock takes, NEC trade shows |
| Mar - May | Construction season starts, conference season |
| Jun - Aug | Events, festivals, cricket at Edgbaston, holiday cover |
| Sep - Oct | Students return, warehouse build-up for peak |
| Nov - Dec | Black Friday, Christmas parties, German Market, retail peak |
Tip: book seasonal teams 4 to 6 weeks before your peak to get the most experienced people.
🔗 Use our data on your site
Writing about hiring, pay or jobs in Birmingham? You're welcome to quote the pay guide and stats on this page. Please credit us with a link:
Want a custom pay breakdown for your sector? Ask our Birmingham team.
Looking for Agency Work in Birmingham?
We're always after reliable people for warehouse work, kitchen and catering shifts, cleaning, labouring, support work and office temping across Birmingham. Plenty of roles need no experience, and many are immediate start or weekend work that fits around study or another job.
- Weekly pay, at or above the £12.71 National Living Wage
- Day, evening, night and weekend shifts across the city
- Part time and full time warehouse operative roles, no experience needed for many
- A real chance of a permanent job through temp-to-perm
See How Workers Direct Works
Two short videos on how we find, check and place workers for employers.
Trusted by Employers Who Need People They Can Count On
Workers Direct holds an average rating of 4.8 from 6,731 reviews. Employers come back because the workers turn up, the invoices are right and the phone gets answered. That's honestly most of what a good staffing agency in Birmingham needs to do.
Contact Workers Direct Birmingham
📍 Address: Brunswick Square, Birmingham, B1 2LP
📞 Office: 0121 661 2693
🆘 24/7 Helpline: +44 333 188 0008
✉️ Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: workers-direct.com
Get a staffing quote
Tell us the role and hours and we'll send a clear hourly rate with no hidden extras.
Request a Quote Book Staff Online Contact UsRecruitment Agency Birmingham: Questions Employers Ask
How fast can you send staff in Birmingham?
For common roles like warehouse operatives, kitchen porters, cleaners and labourers, often the same day. Most other bookings are filled within 24 to 48 hours. Specialist roles such as HGV drivers, qualified electricians or senior chefs can take a little longer. For urgent cover, call +44 333 188 0008.
What types of staff do you supply?
Warehouse and industrial workers, hospitality and catering staff, construction labourers and tradespeople, support workers, cleaners, drivers, receptionists and admin staff. One booking or a whole team.
How much does a recruitment agency in Birmingham cost?
For temporary staff you pay an hourly charge rate that covers the worker's pay, holiday pay, employer National Insurance, pension and our fee. There's no upfront cost. For permanent hires, a one-off fee applies once the candidate starts. We'll give you a written quote before anything is booked.
Can I book someone for just one day?
Yes. We regularly supply staff for single shifts, events, stock takes and sickness cover. No booking is too small.
How do you check your workers?
Every worker is interviewed, has their right to work checked and their references followed up. Where a role needs it, we also check DBS, CSCS cards, forklift licences, driving licences and food hygiene certificates before they're placed.
Do you offer temp-to-perm?
Yes. You can take on any worker you like after they've worked with you as a temp. It's one of the safest ways to hire, because you've already seen how they work.
What if a worker isn't right for the job?
Let us know and we'll replace them, usually the same or next day. Our guarantee page has the full details.
Do you handle payroll and holiday pay?
Yes. We pay our temps directly and take care of PAYE, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment and holiday pay. You approve the hours and receive one invoice.
Which areas do you cover?
All of Birmingham plus Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Tamworth, Coventry, Redditch and Bromsgrove, roughly 30 miles from our Brunswick Square office.
Can you supply night and weekend staff?
Yes. We keep a pool of workers who prefer nights and weekends, so warehouses, care services and hospitality venues can cover unsocial hours without leaning on their own team.
Can you staff a large event or a new site opening?
Yes. We regularly put together teams of 20, 50 or more for events, new warehouses and seasonal peaks. Give us as much notice as you can and we'll plan the rota with you.
I'm looking for work. How do I sign up?
Browse all jobs or temporary jobs and apply online. Our Birmingham team will call you to talk through your experience and the shifts you want.
Ready to Sort Your Staffing in Birmingham?
Whether it's one worker tomorrow or a full team for the next three months, tell us what you need and we'll get on with it.
Book Staff in Birmingham Call 0121 661 2693 Email Us