Navigating the Holiday Rush: Leveraging the Gig Economy for Seasonal Staffing

For many industries, the holiday season brings heightened demand for their products and/or services. This particular hustle and bustle is synonymous with the hospitality industry as hotels, restaurants, and event venues gear up for holiday travelers and revelers.

To help mitigate the increased demand the holidays bring, it’s not uncommon for businesses to tap into seasonal workers. But finding quality, trusted hourly workers can be easier said than done…unless you leverage the gig economy. 

How to Find Seasonal Employees

Identify Your Staffing Needs

Before diving into the hiring process, it’s crucial to assess your business’ specific seasonal requirements. 

For example, do you set up a fun and festive holiday bar that attracts more patrons throughout the month of December? In that case, you’ll likely want to bring on more more bartenders, barbacks, and dishwashers.

Does your hotel occupancy increase significantly between Thanksgiving and the new year? If that’s the case, you should seek out some additional housekeepers who can help you manage the increased demand. 

Determine your business’ peak hours, event schedules, and areas where additional support is necessary before you begin your search.

Where to Find Seasonal Employees

The gig economy has revolutionized the way businesses find temporary staff. Platforms like shiftNOW, for example, connect hospitality businesses with a pool of qualified gig workers who are ready to fill one-time, recurring, seasonal, or temp-to-hire shifts. 

Leveraging gig economy platforms enables businesses to tap into a diverse and skilled network of hourly workers. 

The Hiring Process Made Simple

Businesses are increasingly leveraging gig economy platforms for the role they play in streamlining and simplifying the hiring process.

Gig apps place a network of potential workers at your fingertips, eliminating the tedious and time-consuming process of sifting through resumes, scheduling interviews, and meeting with candidates who might not even be a fit.

Detailed worker profiles and unique product features, like profile videos, enable businesses to understand someone’s experience, skill set, and personality before bringing them in.

Benefits of Hiring Seasonal Employees

Flexibility

Gig workers thrive on flexibility, making them ideal for seasonal roles. They can seamlessly adapt to changing schedules and varying workloads, ensuring your business is agile amidst fluctuating seasonal needs.

Cost-Efficiency

Seasonal employees from the gig economy can help manage the spike in demand without incurring the long-term costs associated with full-time hires. This cost-effective solution allows your business to scale as needed with no added financial or administrative headache.

Access to Specialized Skills

Gig workers often bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to the table. Take advantage of this by strategically hiring individuals with the skillset necessary to enhance your team during busy periods. 

Tips for Building a Successful Seasonal Workforce

Start Early

Don’t wait until it’s too late to begin assembling your seasonal workforce. Bringing on seasonal workers before peak demand really sets in allows you to carefully assess their performance and ensure a smoother transition when the holiday rush really hits.

Provide Training

While seasonal employees are often hired for their adaptability, providing basic training can significantly enhance their effectiveness. Equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver exceptional service while they’re with your business. After all, they could always turn into a full-time employee!

Foster Team Integration

Everyone wants to work in a harmonious environment – especially when your slammed with business. Encouraging communication, team-building activities, and recognition can boost morale and thus, team performance.

Solidify Your Seasonal Staffing

In the dynamic world of hospitality, effectively managing the holiday rush requires a strategic approach to building your workforce. 

Leveraging the gig economy to source seasonal employees not only provides you with access to a vast talent pool but also offers the flexibility and cost-efficiency that peak periods require.

By following these tips and embracing the benefits that seasonal gig workers provide, your business can navigate the holiday season with easy, delivering exceptional service to your customers. 

About shiftNOW

shiftNOW connects hospitality’s finest brands to quality talent. Founded in 2022, we provide a flexible solution to the hospitality industry’s toughest problem - talent. From one-time, recurring, or temp-to-hire shift work, shiftNOW enables businesses to easily control how they resource their business and provides top-tier talent with an easy way to make money on their own terms. The right worker. The right shift. Right NOW.

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