Around the holidays, businesses need extra help, and many workers are looking for some extra cash before the end of the year. Sound like a match made in heaven? Well, maybe. We’ve outlined some critical categories to research before hanging the "Now Hiring" sign in your window.

Around the holidays, businesses need extra help, and many workers are looking for some extra cash before the end of the year. Sound like a match made in heaven? Well, maybe.

 

Extra help will probably come with some added headaches. Before you spend precious time reading resumes and applications, it’s important to understand how to prepare for a short-term employee.

 

We’ve outlined some critical categories to research before hanging the "Now Hiring" sign in your window.

 

Pay

Many seasonal workers expect low pay and no benefits, but hiring bonuses have become a big part of holiday jobs. Not only will you have to fork over some upfront cash, you’ll have to carefully consider what qualifies a worker for a sign-on bonus.

 

Many seasonal employees are experts in their field and know how to get the most out of a short-term job. Don’t get scammed by a seasonal worker who only shows up for the hiring bonus; instead, have a contract in hand with all the details figured out before your new short-term employee signs on the dotted line.

 

Time

Holiday employees expect little flexibility when it comes to their schedule. They won’t be asking for many days off, but they usually don’t have much experience.

 

Think about the training process before you hire. Does anyone have time to train a new employee during the busy season? The answer is often: No,. This means you may be paying an employee to fumble around trying to figure out their new job on their own. No training typically leads to added stress for everyone in the workplace.

 

You can always invest in an online training course in your field or divide the training across multiple people in your office. But whatever you do, don’t underestimate the time it will take to train a new employee – short- or long-term.

 

Opportunity

The majority of employers hope to keep their seasonal employees employed after the holidays are over. Make sure you are upfront with your new employee if that is an option. If a worker suspects a seasonal job could lead to a more permanent career path, chances are they’ll work harder and stick around longer.

 

If you know the exact dates you’ll need a worker, make sure to provide a schedule from the beginning of their employment. Handing a short-term employee start and end dates – as well as all national holidays you expect them to work – will lead to less stress and more transparent communication.

 

If you plan on hiring a seasonal employee, be prepared! The more details you have to share with an interested candidate, the more success you will have filling the position.

 

Please reach out if you have any questions or need help outlining the details of a hiring bonus. We’re always here to help.