Instawork is a marketplace that connects businesses with qualified, reliable, and local workers. Unlike traditional staffing agencies that assign workers to shifts on their behalf, our platform empowers workers to choose their shifts and build their own schedule. This unique approach means a more engaged and reliable staff for you and a slightly different pricing model from traditional staffing agencies. With Instawork, you set your pay rates, which attract workers to your shifts.
Partners using Instawork pay an all-inclusive hourly bill rate for each shift a worker picks up, meaning there are no surprise costs or recurring fees. This rate includes:
The worker’s hourly rate
A percentage markup that covers:
Pre-shift worker screening, including background checks
Any applicable federal, state, and local taxes & fees
Live support 6 days per week for both Partners and Pros
Insurance that covers on-shift injuries and accidents
Free cancellations with 24-hour notice
How it works:
During the booking process, you select an all-inclusive hourly bill rate. While you control what you pay, Instawork sets a floor in compliance with each market’s minimum wage and provides you with in-market data and recommendations to help you set a competitive pay rate that helps you attract the best workers while maximizing your fill rate.
If your business is part of a larger corporate group, you may have a negotiated rate already set. This rate will automatically appear when you book a shift. You can still modify this rate as needed to improve your fill rate if needed.
Here's an example:
In the image below, the bill rate is set to $28.88. You can use the - or + to adjust the bill rate. For this shift, the average bill rate is between $28.88 - $31.77. A bill rate less than $28.88 will be lower than market average based on our data, and a bill rate above $31.77 will be higher than market average.
Setting a bill rate within market average helps attract workers and improve fill rate. If fill rate is your priority, or if you’re posting during high demand times (e.g., weekends and holidays), increasing your bill rate will entice more workers to pick up your shift.
Other ways to adjust worker pay
If you want additional ways to attract great workers, you can also add the following in the booking form:
Top Pro booster: Set a bonus that’s only offered to our most reliable workers (Read about our Top Pro program)
Tips: Let workers know they will earn tips from the shift (see details on paying tips to Pros)
FAQs
Why can't I set the rate as low as I want?
Instawork sets a “floor” rate for each market, city, and position depending on minimum wage requirements, seasonality, and baseline position skill level.
What is the percentage markup?
Instawork’s markup is a percentage that varies by shift type, shift volume, position type, location and other factors. For more questions about markups, schedule time with our team.
Why is there a charge on my card prior to the shift?
When paying with a credit card, you may see a pre-authorization charge. This is just a temporary hold placed on the card to validate sufficient funds. Your card will not be charged until your shift is complete.