Survey Reveals Half of Temporary Staffing Agency Users Regret Their Experience; Top Reason is 'Lack of Consultant Support'

Bisconet Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "the company") has conducted a real-world survey through its matching service "Haken Connect," which connects staffing agencies with companies seeking temporary workers. The survey targeted individuals currently using, or who have used within the last two years, temporary staffing agencies, focusing on their experiences of regret.

Survey details: https://2b-connect.jp/haken/pressrelease-haken-koukai/

In recent years, diverse work styles have become widespread, and an increasing number of people are choosing temporary employment as a flexible option that fits their lifestyles. However, despite seeking work arrangements aligned with their preferences, many individuals end up regretting their use of staffing agencies due to mismatches before and after employment, as well as dissatisfaction with support systems.

Until now, there has been little focus on the specific reasons behind such regrets or what perspectives users need to prevent mismatches. Therefore, "Haken Connect" conducted an original survey targeting individuals currently using or who have used staffing agencies within the past two years.

This survey delves into whether users have experienced regret, the specific reasons behind it, and the factors that led to regret, aiming to reveal real-world insights and provide practical tips for choosing staffing agencies for future users.

Survey Summary

● 45% of respondents reported having regretted using a staffing agency

● The top reason for regret was "insufficient explanation or follow-up from the assigned consultant"

● The most common self-identified factor leading to regret was "not confirming the agency’s support services in advance"

● Nearly half of respondents said it is important to "clearly communicate non-negotiable conditions to the consultant" to avoid future mistakes

● When using a staffing agency again, the top priority is "the consultant’s responsiveness and quality of support"

Survey Details

Survey Period: May 15, 2026 Survey Method: Online self-administered questionnaire via i-bridge Co., Ltd.'s survey tool Screening Survey: Conducted among 4,000 men and women aged 20–50 nationwide Main Survey: Conducted among 200 respondents from the screening survey who answered "currently using or have used a staffing agency within the past two years"

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※ URL: https://2b-connect.jp/haken/pressrelease-haken-koukai/

Survey Results

45% of staffing agency users have experienced regret

When asked whether they had ever felt regret about using a staffing agency, 16% answered "strongly regret," and 29% answered "somewhat regret." Combined, this means 45% of all respondents have experienced some level of regret.

Approximately half of users carry some dissatisfaction or regret regarding their use of staffing agencies. While diverse work styles are being promoted and more people are choosing temporary employment, this reveals a significant reality where many face a gap between expectations and reality.

The top reason for regret: "Insufficient explanation or follow-up from the consultant"

When asked about the reasons for regret, "insufficient explanation or follow-up from the consultant" was the most common response at 51.1%, a majority. This was followed by "a gap between the described job duties and actual work" at 34.4%, and "hourly wage or benefits were worse than expected" at 30%.

Dissatisfaction ranked higher regarding the consultant’s support system and accuracy of information than the job conditions themselves. It is clear that job seekers expect staffing agencies to provide more than just job introductions—they demand careful guidance before and after employment.

The top self-identified factor leading to regret: "Did not confirm the agency’s support content in advance"

When asked about their own actions or factors that led to regret, "did not confirm the agency’s support services in advance" was the top response at 32.2%.

This was followed by "agreed without resolving all unclear points about the contract or working conditions" at 28.9%, and "did not compare multiple agencies and made a decision based on information from only one" and "compromised on desired conditions due to urgency" both at 27.8%.

These results suggest that blindly accepting information provided by agencies or neglecting prior confirmation and comparison leads to mismatches. Users are expected to take initiative in gathering information and verifying conditions carefully.

Nearly half say it’s important to "clearly communicate non-negotiable conditions to the consultant" to avoid future failures

When asked what they consider important to prevent mismatches or failures in future use of staffing agencies, 48% said "clearly communicate non-negotiable conditions (such as hourly wage, overtime hours, etc.) to the consultant," the highest response.

Next, "compare multiple staffing agencies and check hourly wages and support systems" and "assess whether the consultant is trustworthy based on response speed and accuracy of explanations" both received 36%, followed by "carefully confirm contract terms and conditions in writing" at 30.5%.

These responses indicate that users recognize the importance of firmly asserting their preferences and avoiding compromise based on past regrets. At the same time, the results show that comparing multiple agencies and personally evaluating whether a consultant is trustworthy are key to avoiding failure.

Top priority for future use: "the consultant’s responsiveness and quality of support"

When asked what they would prioritize most in future use of staffing agencies to avoid regret, "the consultant’s responsiveness and quality of support" ranked first at 27.5%. This was followed by "high wages and benefits such as transportation allowance" at 24%, "whether contract details and job duties are explained thoroughly" at 16.5%, and "whether the agency offers many job openings and diverse options" at 15.5%.

Users demand strong support systems that ensure peace of mind more than ever—more than just high wages or a large number of job listings. It is clear that job seekers’ criteria for choosing staffing agencies are shifting from short-term conditions to the quality and supportiveness of the assigned consultant.

Key Insights from the Survey

This real-world survey reveals that nearly half of those who have used staffing agencies have experienced some form of regret. While diverse work styles are becoming more common, many still struggle with the gap between expectations and reality. The primary reason for regret is "lack of explanation or follow-up from the consultant," showing that poor communication before and after employment directly leads to dissatisfaction—more so than job conditions alone.

Additionally, users deeply recognize their own role in mismatches, such as "failing to confirm support content in advance" or "agreeing without clarifying uncertainties." This highlights the importance of not blindly accepting information from agencies, but instead proactively verifying details and carefully evaluating potential agencies.