Whenever I go to one particular office to help out their admin team, I am really surprised how much work they seem to get through, yet always seem to have a healthy batch for me to get on with.  When I first started there, some years ago, no one seemed able to show me what was required – they all knew how to do their bit of the job but were unable to communicate the necessary info to help me to help them.    I mentioned this to their HR manager and suggested that to help other temporary replacements, their regular colleagues could take online courses on people management and communications – how to make colleagues feel welcome and part of the team;  how to ensure the newcomer knows who to turn to in a crisis and of course, how the firm operates.  All these elements make for a much happier temporary stint – especially if the stint re-occurs several times a year!