The Watercooler

Managing Seasonal Hiring Needs

Summer is right around the corner.

For many businesses, that means an uptick in business; for others, it means countless vacation requests.  Today, PrideStaff answers some of the most common questions we get about seasonal hiring.

What’s the best way to manage this time of year?

Planning ahead is essential.  Here’s why:

  • High unemployment doesn’t necessarily guarantee plentiful qualified applicants – especially if you require workers with specialized experience or skill sets.  Remember, your competitors will likely be going after the same individuals you’re trying to recruit.
  • Effective onboarding and training take considerable time and resources.  Once you’ve recruited the workers you need, you still have to allow time for processing paperwork, orientation, training and learning curves.

Is hiring seasonal workers the best option for my business?

It depends.  Even if you do get your recruiting “ducks” in a row early enough, hiring on your own may not be the best option.  If you hire direct staff, you may need to lay those workers off once your summer season is over – which can impact your unemployment insurance rates.

What about overtime?

Many businesses traditionally rely on overtime to cover summer vacations or handle their busy season.  While it seems like a viable choice, the longer hours can eventually lead to employee burnout, reduced productivity, increased absenteeism and higher turnover.

What other options are available for managing seasonal hiring needs?

Consider seasonal staffing.  This strategic staffing service allows you to plan your use of temporary employees to match seasonal or other predictable workload fluctuations.  Used properly, this staffing option can help you: meet critical deadlines; quickly access talent to fill personnel gaps or handle surges in demand; control overhead; and reduce burnout and turnover of your direct staff.

If you anticipate needing additional personnel to cover vacations or staff your busy season, PrideStaff can help.  Our Workforce Growth Solutions deliver qualified temporary employees on a just-in-time basis to manage workflow peaks and keep your business humming.  Contact your local PrideStaff office to learn more.