For decades, temp labor has been the go-to fix for many warehouse and distribution center challenges. Need to staff up fast? Bring in temps. Peak season on the horizon? Call the agency. Someone no-shows? Fill the gap with another warm body.

But in Coastal Virginia—from Norfolk and Chesapeake to Suffolk and Portsmouth—many operators are rethinking that strategy. In 2025, the conversation is shifting from “How many people can we get?” to “How many people can we keep?”

And it’s not just about culture. It’s about cost, quality, and consistency.

Temp Labor Isn’t Keeping Up

The traditional temp staffing model is showing its cracks, especially in fast-moving logistics environments:

High Churn Rates
Temporary workers often have little incentive to stay. Many Coastal Virginia DCs report turnover rates north of 100% for temp roles. That means constant retraining, onboarding, and quality issues on the floor.

Rising Labor Costs Without Better Output
With rising minimum wages and agency fees, many operations are paying more per hour—but not getting better performance. Temp labor may plug a gap, but it rarely builds momentum.

Poor Fit and Limited Accountability
Temp agencies prioritize placement speed over alignment. That can mean mismatched skill sets, reliability issues, or workers who are just “passing through.” And when things go wrong, the responsibility falls back on your supervisors.

Inconsistent Quality and Safety
In distribution and fulfillment, productivity and error rates matter. Temp labor with minimal onboarding or training often leads to more mistakes, missed quotas, and safety concerns.

A Regional Shift Toward Long-Term Thinking

Operators across Coastal Virginia are realizing that while temp labor may be fast, it’s not flexible—and it’s definitely not sustainable.

Here’s what’s replacing the temp-first mindset:

Strategic Hiring from Local Pipelines

Rather than relying on anonymous temp lists, employers are working with partners to develop recruiting pipelines from local communities, vocational programs, and underutilized labor markets. The focus is shifting to fit and future, not just availability.

Retention-Focused Workforce Plans

Long-term workforce models put engagement and development first—starting on Day 1. When employees feel supported and see opportunity, they stay longer, learn faster, and work smarter.

Cross-Training and Role Flexibility

Cross-trained team members provide agility without needing a new body every time someone calls out. Investing in internal capability helps operations run leaner and smoother, even under pressure.

Embedded Support Models

Some facilities are partnering with workforce solutions providers that don’t just place workers—but manage them. That means on-site leadership, consistent coaching, and alignment with KPIs from day one.

Why the Shift Makes Sense Now

This change isn’t just philosophical—it’s practical.
With the Port of Virginia reporting increased cargo volume, Amazon expanding fulfillment hubs in the region, and wages steadily rising, operations can’t afford to gamble on labor that might not show up tomorrow. Warehouses that prioritize long-term teams are seeing:

• More consistent output
• Better attendance and shift coverage
• Stronger safety performance
• Reduced re-training and onboarding costs
• Lower total cost of labor over time

Simply put, the ROI on reliability and retention is far greater than the perceived savings of temp labor.

How iJility Helps Operators Build Sustainable Teams

At iJility, we specialize in helping Coastal Virginia distribution and fulfillment centers transition from reactive staffing to proactive workforce solutions.

Here’s how we support long-term success:

Custom Workforce Models

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We design your workforce strategy around your schedule, volume fluctuations, and quality expectations.

Local Recruiting & Retention Programs

We build recruiting plans from the ground up—targeting talent that stays, not just fills a shift. And we embed engagement programs that keep workers invested in your operation.

Embedded Onsite Leadership

Our team is on the floor with yours—coaching, training, and managing workforce performance in real time.

Scalable Teams, Without the Churn

Whether you need to ramp up or scale back, our flexible models allow you to adjust headcount while preserving your core team and operational continuity.

Ready to Move from Temporary to Tactical?

If you’re tired of constant turnover, unpredictable attendance, and high costs for low return—you’re not alone. Coastal Virginia is making the shift. Let iJility help you lead the way.

Schedule a discovery call with our team today. Let’s build a workforce that performs now—and grows with you for the long haul.