The report, Maximising the Value of Contractors, surveyed over 500 self-employed workers and hiring managers across the UK.
It found 95% of contractors expect the hiring process to take no more than three weeks. However, over half (52% of employers) expect the negotiations to take more than this, leading to frustration among self-employed workers.
Robert Walters director Andrew Broster warned that employers risk losing high-skilled, specialist staff if they drag their heels when hiring.
“An overly lengthy recruitment process can serve both to deter candidates and make a competitor’s offer seem more appealing, even for a role less lucrative or fulfilling," he said.
Contractors also report feeling confused and poorly treated at the induction and onboarding stages. Almost half (41%) said they have turned up on their first day to find that either a workstation, chair or desk was unavailable.
Almost two-thirds (64%) said they had difficulties logging on to work IT systems, with 43% reporting not being able to access IT information that is of critical importance.
Tim Gilbert, director at Robert Walters, said that poor inductions can give a "negative impression" of employers, and urged businesses to treat onboarding for contractors the same way they would for permanent staff.
"Poor inductions can give root to frustrations that can grow over the period of the contract," he said. "Take steps to ensure contractors are able to hit the ground running, delivering regular communication and making available all necessary materials and access in advance.”
