The fourth series of a web-based comedy featuring a fictitious recruitment agency began last week.

The Temp Life, the story of the inept boss of US temp agency Commodity Staffing and its disgruntled workers, has been seen by 2m viewers since it began in 2006. The new series can be seen on Facebook, YouTube and is due to be rolled out across many more web media.

Melissa Waldon, social media strategist at US recruiter Spherion, which sponsors The Temp Life, told Recruiter that while the series might be a comedy, it has a serious purpose: to raise the awareness of Spherion’s brand and to attract staff. 

“We started The Temp Life in 2006 in the midst of a labour shortage and it was aimed at college students, recent graduates or entry level professionals,” she said.

And while the economic conditions have changed Waldon said that the series remains an ideal way of building relationship with its potential workforce, and “giving them a laugh while doing it”.

The Temp Life has introduced Spherion to an entirely new audience and has helped the company to distinguish itself from other staffing companies, said Waldon.

“Gen Y are very savvy and are not going to be over impressed by corporate fluff,” she added.

New 4-7 minute episodes post every Monday and are syndicated across the web to My Damn Channel, iTunes, DailyMotion and to Verizon Fios, TiVo, Roku, Boxee and Sony Bravia Internet Link.

From January, ‘The Temp Life’ will be available on-demand in 2m US hotel rooms via DoNotDisturbTV.