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What Is Seasonal Employment And How To Manage It?

Are you wondering what a seasonal employment entails if your organization is practicing it?. 

Are you eager to know how helpful this new employment strategy will contribute to the growth of your organization or the world at large?

If you are curious, then do well to read through this article and you will have something new to learn about this type of employment.

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How To Manage Seasonal Employment?

When you hear seasonal employment, it just refers to those temporary employment that companies use as a tool to boost their workforce during busy seasons. 

It also gives companies the flexibility to hire more staff members when they need extra help, without the added cost of an additional employee year-round.

As good as it sounds, it is important that the company understands the regulations surrounding seasonal employment. These included as well as how best to manage it.

Below are ways that a company can manage which includes:

A. Set Clear Expectations

When hiring seasonal employees, it’s important to set clear expectations regarding the length of employment and responsibilities.

In the job description, you should state  throughout the hiring process, and within the contract. 

Also, try as much as possible to obtain written acknowledgment of this when hiring employees to keep on record.

B. Provide Manager Training

It is important that your hiring manager arrange and conduct proper training on how to work with and manage these employees. 

Managers need to be aware of how to handle accommodation requests and avoid discrimination and harassment claims. 

Furthermore, managers should also be familiar with company-specific policies regarding the nature of their seasonal employees.

C. Treat Seasonal Employees Well

Seasonal employees are temporary, and that can affect the way that they are regarded or treated by Co-workers.

However, treating seasonal employees and regular employees as equal will bring about:

A. It will bring about the utmost support for their mental well-being.

B. It will increases productivity and satisfaction with their work

C. It will avoids the possibility of discrimination claims

D. It will be an encouragement for them to speak about good things about the company.

E. Lastly, it will increase the chances of them desiring to return next year when treated as they should.

What Kinds Of Companies Hire Seasonally?

There are many different types of companies that require workers seasonally. This can be due to industrial demand, traffic increases, financial reasons and other reasons.

Having said that, let’s look at the companies below that undergo seasonal employment.

A.  Agriculture

This is one of the first sectors that demand seasonal employees due to its cultivation seasons, tilling, and harvesting which has different specific times of the year that it can last.

B. Delivery Services

During the holidays, there are numerous orders from customers which will cause the management to start hiring workers who will assist in their demands.

A perfect example of a delivery service includes UPS, Amazon, USPS, and FedEx.

C. Ski Resorts

Just like other businesses, the ski resorts require snow to function, so they’re a common example of this. 

They create a high demand for workers during their peak season and low or non-existent demand during the off-season.

D. Hotels 

This majority is seen among hotels located in seasonal tourist destinations such as near a beach or ski resort. 

They are fond of hiring seasonal employees to help clean rooms or check in guests during their peak season.

E. Retail stores

This is ranging from retailers to local businesses and major companies such as Amazon and Walmart.

They hire seasonal employees in order to meet up with their higher-than-average demand.

Benefits Of Seasonal Employment

There are significant benefits to seasonal employment for companies that only need extra labor for a limited time each year which includes:

A. Cost Savings

Hiring seasonal employees will enable the company to be able to meet up with the demands during peak times without having to pay to keep extra employees during times of the year when there’s not enough work to keep them busy.

B. Reduced Overtime Pay

Hiring seasonal employees can also save employers money by reducing the need to have existing employees work overtime which must be paid at all time or during the employee’s normal hourly rate for FLSA non-exempt employees.

C. Flexibility

Seasonal employment enables companies to quickly scale their labor force up or down in response to seasonal trends in demand.

Hiring seasonal employees allows employers to be flexible with their workforce. It offers the ability to choose when employees are hired, how many are hired, the duration of their employment, and more.

D. Recruitment 

Seasonal employment can also be an opportunity for companies to identify talented workers. Companies can always choose to offer a seasonal employee a long-term position.

Limitations Of Seasonal Unemployment

While seasonal employment can be helpful for many businesses, there are also drawbacks compared to hiring year-round employees.

A. Less Commitment

When employees work for an organization on a temporary basis, they are typically less committed to the company and this can affect the employees productivity as well as performances.

B. Reduction In The Labor Pool

Many businesses are often trying to hire seasonal employees at the same time, which increases the competition for talented employees. 

At the same time, many qualified individuals who may be looking for work may not consider seasonal employment in their job searches.

C. Reduced Investment In Employees

Many companies invest less in seasonal employees than in long-term staff members. 

So, this will cause seasonal employees to receive less training or may not develop strong relationships with their managers.

D. Potential Legal Trouble. 

The nature of seasonal employment is different from that of regular employment and creates possible legal issues.

E. Less Training. 

Since seasonal employees aren’t employed for a long period of time, there is less time for training. 

There may also be a lack of quality in the training, as employers know these employees are only temporary, and investing in them may not seem cost-efficient.

Best Ways To Achieve Success For Seasonal Employees

Companies can set themselves and their seasonal employees up for success by following a few best practices.

A. Commence The Hiring Process Early. 

Competition for seasonal employees can be tough, especially if your business is located in a seasonal destination or is hiring around the holidays. 

So, it is advisable that you should start the hiring process as early as possible to make sure that you get the most qualified employees and leave plenty of time for training.

B. Set Expectations For Seasonal Employees. 

Your company should be clear from the beginning about how long a seasonal employment contract will last, how many hours an employee is expected to work, and whether there are opportunities for extension or long-term employment. 

These expectations should be stated in the job description and the employment contract.

C. Connect Seasonal Employees To Your Company Culture. 

Seasonal employees may be temporary, but you can still make efforts to connect them to your company’s mission and culture. 

This can increase the likelihood that they stay for the entire season and increase their productivity at work.

D. Treat Seasonal Employees Like Long-Term Employees. 

To have a successful work relationship with lots of productivity, there is a need for you to treat your seasonal employees just as you treat your other workers. 

Do not make them feel exempted because it can cause you bad compliments from outsiders and can affect your productivity.

FAQs

1.  How Does Seasonal Unemployment Work? 

Seasonal unemployment works by ensuring the number of jobs available correspond to the organization’s needs for the employees, depending on the time of the year.

2. Why Is Seasonal Employment Hard To Solve?

What makes the problem of seasonal employment harder to resolve is that:
A. The structural nature of such sectors is such that employees throughout the year are economically not feasible.
2. The fact that workers in the unorganized and informal sectors often operate outside the formal system of pension and social security and hence, cannot be tracked or provided with concrete assistance.

Conclusion

Through seasonal employment, companies will be able to have more workforce who will help to meet up with the daily demands without having to hold on to extra employees for a year.

If you have ever been hired or witnessed this seasonal employment in your organization, we will love to hear your thoughts and how positively or negatively it must have impacted you.

As you do so, Don’t forget to share this article to your friends.

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