My company auditions temps

[Nikia]

I work at a food processing facility. Although it doesn't exactly pay great for most positions, it pays more than most, no experience or training necessary, jobs around the area for general labor positions. The production positions are also all first shift. As a result, there are many people who want to work here. They probably could replace everyone within a week.
Anyway, we are not in the habit of having extra people so if more than one person in an area calls in, temps are called in. These temps have agreed to be on call and come in within an hour of being called. They might not know it but they are being evaluated. The production workers in the area are asked about their performance as well.If they do well, they are called back the next time. If for some reason, they cannot make it into work, they are off the list. Sometimes, more than one temp is needed. If the new temp outperforms the old temp, the newer temp is called in instead. We have first string and second string temps. We always can get new temps anytime as well.
As a result we are hiring only outstanding employees. Management is thrilled that we can do this. I am not sure that the temps know what they are getting into. I also feel bad for our temps further down the list who come back after a few weeks when several people are on vacation or are sick, wondering why they weren't called back sooner.
Do people work for other companies who audition temps this way? Should this be something that we tell the temps upfront? How should the third string temps be treated? Do youu think that this is ethical?

[jayavarman]

1. Sounds logical to me

When I was a temp I was always hoping one of the temp gigs would lead to full time work. I think that pretty much any temp with a brain views an assignemt as an audition of sorts . . . . . damn, what's the alternative? mindlessly half-assedly punching a clock somewhere, not even trying to do a good job?

Sounds like your bosses are ensuring that you get the best new coworkers possible . . . don't sweat it.

The good workers are the ones that get called in every jobplace in the world.

If you were the one making the call, would you call the lazy worker, etc . . ? No, you would probably call whoever could do the best job.