Staffing During the Holidays: What You Need to Know

The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. Sure, we all see the retail rush happening in every store we set foot in, but if you think about it, the holidays really impact all businesses—not just retail.

A lot of this has to do with staffing issues. It’s difficult for a company to run properly if it’s having trouble with staffing, and there are some unique circumstances surrounding the holiday season that might put a slight damper on your holiday celebrations.

We’re here to help you identify and plan for those possibilities, so no matter what your business is, your holiday can go smoothly, with a great staff.

Lack of clarity around job status.

Some companies find it necessary to hire extra help during the holidays, for one reason or another. If your company fits that description, make sure you are clearly communicating to those employees what kind of job you’re offering them. Is it purely seasonal, and if so, what day will their employment end? Is it a temporary position, with the possibility of becoming permanent? Or have you brought them on as a full-time employee whom you plan to keep on after the holiday rush? It’s possible to hire employees to fill any of these needs, but the important thing is that everyone is on the same page from day one.

Confusion about time off.

Ebenezer Scrooge famously grumbled about giving his employees the entire day off for Christmas, but there doesn’t have to be tension within a company about expected time off during the holidays. Make sure everyone knows what is expected of them in terms of days at work. What days does everyone have off? What days need to be specifically requested? Being clear about these dates—and planning ahead for them—can help you avoid any “bah humbugs” that might arise from either employers or employees.

Hiring out of desperation.

If you’re facing a holiday rush, it might be tempting to hire extra help in a last-ditch effort to stay on top of things. With years of staffing experience under our belt, we can tell you that a bad hire is a bad hire, no matter the time of year. If you really need to make a hire during the holidays, consider using a staffing service to help you find a truly qualified candidate. This could end up saving you time and money if it prevents you from making a hire out of pure desperation.

Decline in morale.

Look, no one wants to be working during the holidays. And if employees feel that hitting a little too close to home, they might start looking for work elsewhere, which could leave them in a lurch once they find other jobs. Part of smart staffing is keeping the people you already have happy, so they’ll stick around and you’ll have less turnover. So do what you can to “make spirits bright” this holiday season, whether it’s with a great holiday party, personalized gifts, or even just regular displays of appreciation. This is a chance to define the culture that exists among your staff, so make the most of it.

Don’t let staffing issues become another thing to worry about during the busy holiday season. Stay on top of your game and you’ll see smooth sailing into the new year. Happy holidays!

If you’re facing staffing issues this season, contact EDI Staffing. With years of experience in IT staffing, we can help you find the right people to fill your open positions and help your company succeed.