Seasonal employees: Overview, definition, and example
What are seasonal employees?
Seasonal employees are workers who are hired for a specific period of time, typically to meet increased demand during a particular season or time of year. These employees are often brought on during peak business periods, such as holidays, summer, or other busy times that require additional labor. Seasonal employment is temporary, and these workers are usually let go after the busy season ends. Examples of seasonal work include retail jobs during the holiday season, farm workers during harvest, or ski resort staff during winter.
In simpler terms, seasonal employees are hired for a short-term period to help businesses handle busy times and are not expected to work year-round.
Why are seasonal employees important?
Seasonal employees are important because they provide businesses with the flexibility to scale up labor when needed, without the long-term commitment of permanent employees. Hiring seasonal workers allows companies to efficiently manage increased workloads during peak times while avoiding the costs of permanent staff during slower periods. For industries with fluctuating demand, such as tourism, agriculture, or retail, seasonal employees are vital for maintaining smooth operations and meeting customer needs.
For SMB owners, hiring seasonal employees is a smart strategy to manage busy seasons, control labor costs, and ensure customer satisfaction without overburdening full-time staff.
Understanding seasonal employees through an example
Let’s say you own a retail store that sells outdoor gear. During the winter months, demand for your products spikes, and you need extra help to manage the increased foot traffic and sales. To meet this demand, you hire seasonal employees to work in the store from November to January. These workers help customers, stock shelves, and process transactions. Once the busy season ends, you let the seasonal employees go, as the demand for your products has returned to normal.
In this example, seasonal employees help your business operate smoothly during peak sales periods without the need to maintain extra staff year-round.
Example of a seasonal employee clause
Here’s an example of what a seasonal employee clause might look like in an employment contract:
“The Employee is hired as a Seasonal Employee for the period beginning on [start date] and ending on [end date]. The Employee’s duties will include [specific duties] during the peak season. Upon the conclusion of the seasonal period, the employment will end without further obligation by the Employer, unless otherwise agreed in writing.”
Conclusion
Seasonal employees are a valuable resource for businesses that experience fluctuations in demand throughout the year. By hiring temporary workers during busy periods, SMB owners can manage labor costs effectively and ensure they have enough staff to meet customer needs. Understanding how to manage seasonal employment helps businesses operate efficiently, avoid overstaffing during slower months, and maintain high levels of service during peak times.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.