Alex, what is Temper, and what’s behind its rapid growth from the Netherlands to the UK?
Alex Rose: Temper is a digital marketplace for freelance shift work. Founded in Amsterdam in 2015, we solve the friction between people wanting to work on their own terms and businesses needing on-demand, accountable staff. We proved in the Netherlands that high-pressure sectors like logistics don’t need “middlemen”—they need better data and direct connections. I took the role of UK CEO in 2022 because I’d experienced the frustrations of seeking temporary work early in my career; seeing what Temper achieved in Europe, I jumped at the chance to scale it here.
How does the Temper marketplace change the day-to-day workflow for a manager?
It moves the power back to the warehouse floor. It’s a double-sided marketplace that prioritises transparency. A manager posts shifts detailing exactly what’s needed—from forklift certifications to specific timings. On the other side, freelancers apply only for the shifts they actually want.
The “magic” is the selection process. In a traditional agency, you have very little say in who shows up on a Monday. With Temper, you pick people based on historical ratings and reliability. You can see how a freelancer performed for your peers last week. If someone has a 4.9-star rating over 100 shifts, you know exactly what you’re getting. It creates a self-policing ecosystem where high performance is the only currency.
You’re currently doubling year-on-year. Beyond the tech, what are the commercial drivers for this growth?
Our model provides the flexibility that logistics businesses needs, while legislation is making traditional staffing models more complex. Temper removes that friction by providing a purely freelance model that remains fully compliant.
The logistics “Squeeze” is also a factor. With the £12.71 minimum wage and rising National Insurance, businesses can no longer afford unreliable staff who miss pick-rates. Furthermore, speed is vital. An unexpected surge in orders can’t wait overnight hours for an agency callback. On average, a business on Temper receives its first applicant in just six minutes. Because we’ve automated the “middleman” tasks, our costs are typically lower than a traditional agency.
Is this for the giant 3PLs, or can smaller operators join in?
The platform is totally scalable. We serve everyone from independent local hubs to massive distribution centres. You can use us to fill a single van driver shift or scale up to 50+ operatives during Black Friday. Our tech handles the administrative headache of checking right-to-work documents and chasing timesheets—it’s “plug and play” labour for the modern economy.
How does the revenue model work? Are there hidden costs?
We believe in simplicity: a flat fee per hour worked. There are no joining fees, subscriptions, or cancellation fees, though we do offer volume-related discounts for larger enterprise partners.
One of our most disruptive features is the “no-fee talent-scout” model. If you find a freelancer who is a perfect fit for your culture, you can offer them a permanent contract with zero temp-to-perm fees. We want to be a bridge to great talent, not a barrier.
Why is the platform so popular with workers?
They love having agency over their lives—deciding when they work and even negotiating their pay. They are building a “digital reputation” that they own, allowing them to access higher-value shifts as they prove their worth.
We also provide robust protections, including comprehensive insurance and a sick pay model more generous than statutory requirements. We ensure a £13/hour earnings floor and “cancellation protection” to compensate workers if a shift is pulled last-minute. We treat freelancers like professionals, and in return, they deliver for our clients.
How can a business trial the platform?
Contact me at alex.rose@temper.works or visit go.temper.works/en-gb/business. We can usually have a business up and running, posting their first shifts, within the same day.
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