4 Tips for Hiring and Managing Seasonal Employees

4 tips for hiring and managing seasonal employees

23 Oct 2025

Hiring seasonal staff during peak demand can be a cost-effective way to handle busy periods without the long-term commitment. A well-managed seasonal workforce can boost productivity and help maintain customer satisfaction. However, there are a few considerations to bear in mind to ensure you hire and manage seasonal staff in the right way.

In this article, we’ll share a few tips on how to approach the recruitment process, best practices for when staff are onboarded and efficient ways to save costs.

Tip 1: Start the recruitment process early

Don’t underestimate the time it takes to hire employees, even if it is short term. You should start your recruitment process early, well ahead of the busy period. This enables you to find qualified candidates that meet your criteria, as opposed to having to hire in a rush. When you hire staff in a rush, it can often lead to poor decisions.

Define your expectations: State the specific roles, responsibilities, and the length of the employment.
Create a clear job description: Ensure you are truthful that the role is temporary and highlight why they should work for your company, even if it is a part-time role.

Tip 2: Go beyond traditional job boards

Think beyond traditional job boards. Explore other routes to identify seasonal staff:

Local schools, colleges and universities: There will be plenty of students searching for part-time roles during the holidays.
Previous employees: Reach out to past or existing seasonal workers. They’ll already be aware of how you operate, which reduces the need for full training and onboarding.
Employability providers: Access ready to work candidates with added pre-employment support from specialists, like a recruitment agency but without the cost!
Referrals: Incentivise current employees with a small bonus if they refer a successful seasonal hire. This is a cost-effective way to find reliable people and you know they’ll slot into the team well.

Tip 3: Implement an easier onboarding and training process

Your seasonal employees need to get up to speed quickly. A long, drawn-out training process could be inefficient and costly.

Create a concise training guide: Focus on the essential tasks they’ll perform daily.
Use a buddy system: Pair new hires with experienced employees who can provide on-the-job training and answer questions.
Invest in digital tools: Use videos or short online modules for training. This saves time and ensures a consistent message.

Tip 4: Ensure staff are motivated

Even though they're temporary, seasonal employees are a vital part of your team. Keeping them motivated and happy is essential.

Offer competitive pay: Research the market rates for pay to ensure your compensation is fair. This can help you attract and retain quality candidates.
Provide regular feedback: Acknowledge good performance and provide constructive criticism to help them improve.
Foster a positive work environment: Include seasonal staff in team meetings. A positive atmosphere can encourage them to return in the future or even become permanent employees.

How to save money when hiring seasonal staff

This is a key concern for many businesses. Here’s how you can reduce costs without sacrificing quality:

Partner with employability providers: Get access to no-cost recruitment services and a huge talent pool of people ready to work.
Avoid unnecessary benefits: Seasonal employees aren't typically eligible for benefits such as private care, saving you on major expenses.
Leverage technology for payroll: Use a payroll service that can handle temporary employees efficiently, ensuring accuracy and compliance. This reduces administrative overhead.
Optimise your scheduling: Use scheduling software to prevent overstaffing during slower periods. This ensures you're only paying for the people you truly need.
Focus on a core team: Hire a smaller number of highly qualified seasonal employees rather than a large group of under-skilled workers. This reduces training costs and increases overall productivity, which is the most effective way to save money when hiring seasonal staff.
Manage overtime: Keep a close eye on hours worked. Overtime pay can quickly increase your labour costs.

By following these tips, you can effectively hire and manage your seasonal workforce, meet your business goals, and keep your budget in check.

For further support recruiting for vacancies, we can help. We have work-ready vetted candidates that we can place into roles that will suit their skillset. Learn about our services.

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