June 7, 2016    |    By

The summer months can be quite enjoyable. The warmer weather and longer days make for plenty of outdoor entertainment, but it can also be a stressful time for your business. Staffing issues and employee turnover tend to arise as the temperatures outside rise. It’s no wonder why businesses use temporary employees more in the summer. Understanding why temporary employees are beneficial and how to utilize them to the full advantage of the company can help to keep things running smoothly, even during a time of year when many businesses experience a downturn.

the facts about summer employment

According to AmericanStaffing.net, the busiest time of year for temporary employees is in December, due to the Christmas holiday. It drops off sharply in January and then starts a steady climb that goes through the summer months. There are a number of reasons for this trend.

According to a recent survey, 59% of those polled said that they would take their vacation during the summer months with the most popular week being the second week of July. Hiring temporary employees to cover for your full-time employees who are on vacation can help to keep your business running smoothly.

Additional reasons why an increase in the use of temporary employees is seen in the summer include weather changes, the end of year school schedule and harvest time. Much of the news you hear about employment is seasonally adjusted, and that often means that balance is necessary because of the increase in temporary employees during the summer months.

hiring summer temporary help – the good and the bad

Although there are many benefits to hiring seasonal help in the summertime, there are also some potential issues associated with it as well. It is possible to reduce your risk by taking the following steps prior to bringing on the temporary help.

Use Experience –

Many businesses hire students in the summer but your business may benefit from the experience of a more seasoned employee. Now may be the perfect time for you to fill a slot with a former employee or with someone who is retired.

Talk to Your Insurance Agent –

Don’t assume that your insurance policies will cover temporary employees. This would include auto insurance, which is important to consider if the seasonal employee would be required to use company vehicles as part of their job description. In addition, workers’ compensation insurance is based on how many people are on the payroll, so you may end up owing extra at the end of the year.

Aside from the potential problems that could exist, and are often easily overcome, it is also possible to benefit from temporary employees in a large way.

Overcoming Staffing Holes

One of the primary ways that a business would benefit from the use of temporary employees is through helping the company to function properly during a time when they may be short staffed.

Financial Benefits

There are also significant financial benefits that go along with temporary employees, particularly if they are hired through a third-party employment agency. The savings can be seen in training costs, overtime costs and fewer benefits, such as sick pay and vacation.

Conclusion

The summer months can be a time for your business to grow. Even though your staff may be busy taking vacations, your operation can run smoothly and consistently with the help of summer temporary employees.

Having trouble finding good temporary employees? Use our free checklist for find the best employees for your business!

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This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created between the author and reader of this blog post, and its content should not be relied upon as legal advice. Readers are urged to consult legal counsel when seeking legal advice.