How to Hire a Developer Without a Full-Time Contract? Modern Forms of Cooperation in IT
source: Freepik.com
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, companies are increasingly seeking flexible models of cooperation with IT experts. Hiring a developer without a full-time contract is not only possible today but is often preferred by organizations — especially those running temporary projects, needing immediate support, or aiming to avoid long and costly recruitment processes. How can this be done legally, effectively, and without risk? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Are Companies Moving Away from Full-Time Employment?
The traditional form of employment — a full-time work contract — comes with numerous formalities, high costs, and limited flexibility. In the IT sector, where time is money and technology evolves at lightning speed, alternative models of cooperation are becoming the norm.
The most common reasons why companies do not hire developers on full-time contracts include:
- the need to quickly scale project teams,
- execution of one-off or short-term projects,
- limited operational budget,
- lack of in-house recruitment competencies.
Alternatives to Full-Time Employment – What Are Your Options?
There are several proven cooperation models available on the market that allow you to hire a developer without creating a full-time position:
1. IT Body Leasing
In this model, a company “rents” an IT specialist for a specific period and project. The developer is formally employed by the service provider (e.g., Gorilla HR) but works remotely or on-site for your organization.
Advantages:
- quick start – sometimes within a few days of requesting the specialist,
- no need for lengthy recruitment processes,
- cost and time savings compared to hiring,
- flexibility – contracts can be easily extended or terminated.
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2. IT Outsourcing
This model involves entrusting an external company with the full or partial management of IT operations — from project management and software development to ongoing technical support. Instead of hiring a developer, you use the services of a specialized team.
Advantages:
- comprehensive service without the need to build internal IT structures,
- constant access to experts with various specializations,
- cost control – you pay for the service, not for employment.
3. Working with a Freelancer
You can hire a developer as an independent contractor — usually through a B2B (business-to-business) agreement or a freelance contract. This solution is particularly popular for smaller projects.
Advantages:
- often lower costs compared to full-time employment,
- access to a broad talent pool worldwide,
- possibility to quickly launch cooperation.
Disadvantages:
- the risk of the freelancer being unavailable in the future,
- difficulty verifying skills without professional recruitment support.
What to Pay Attention to When Hiring a Developer Without a Full-Time Contract?
To ensure effective and safe cooperation, it’s crucial to focus on a few key areas:
- Precise definition of the work scope – tasks, expectations, and deadlines.
- Legal form of cooperation – most often through a B2B contract, service agreement, or a framework agreement with the body leasing provider.
- Skill verification – reviewing experience, portfolio, technical interviews, or skill tests.
- Management and communication – even the best specialist needs clearly defined goals and communication channels.
source: freepik.com
Is Hiring Without a Full-Time Contract Legal?
Yes, as long as the cooperation model matches the nature of the tasks and is correctly regulated through a formal agreement. In Poland, the most commonly used legal bases are:
- B2B contracts (business to business) – for cooperation with individuals running their own businesses,
- civil law contracts – for smaller, one-off assignments,
- body leasing contracts – where the service provider assumes formal responsibility.
Summary
Hiring a developer without a full-time contract is now a standard practice in the IT industry. Thanks to solutions like body leasing, IT outsourcing, and B2B cooperation, companies can access experienced specialists without creating permanent positions, saving both time and resources. The key is choosing the right model and a reliable partner.
At Gorilla HR, we help companies quickly and flexibly match the best IT specialists to their projects — without unnecessary formalities.
