Seasonal demand is a reality for many industries in New Zealand. From retail and logistics during the Christmas rush to hospitality and tourism in the summer months, businesses often face the challenge of scaling their workforce quickly and efficiently. Without the right strategies, this can result in understaffing, burnout, or difficulty in meeting customer expectations.
The Scale of the Issue in NZ
- According to MBIE’s Medium to Long-Term Employment Outlook, transport, postal, and warehousing sectors are among those forecasted to grow steadily to 2028. This means increased demand not just seasonally, but permanently in some areas.
- Retail trade and accommodation & food services are also projected to add many more jobs annually over the next several years, showing that sectors reliant on seasonal peaks are under pressure to find staff.
These trends show that seasonal hiring is not just a short-term challenge. It can affect business continuity, staff turnover, and long-term workforce planning.
The Challenges of Seasonal Hiring
Seasonal hiring poses unique challenges that require careful planning and execution:
- Fluctuating Demand: Peaks in demand during certain months can leave businesses scrambling for additional staff.
- Time Constraints: With tight timelines, businesses often struggle to source, vet, and onboard employees quickly.
- Compliance and Training: Navigating employment regulations and ensuring proper training for short-term hires can be a time-consuming process.
Strategies to Tackle Seasonal Hiring
1. Plan Ahead for Peak Periods
The busiest times of year are usually predictable, so workforce planning should start early. Analyse your past data to forecast peak periods and determine how many extra workers you may need. Giving yourself a head start allows time to advertise roles, run interviews, and onboard staff without scrambling at the last minute.
2. Build a Flexible Workforce
Consider a mix of temporary, part-time, and casual staff to manage fluctuating demand. Temporary workers are particularly useful because they can fill short-term gaps without committing to permanent contracts. Recruitment agencies can provide pre-screened, work-ready staff who can step in quickly when needed.
3. Offer Competitive Pay and Conditions
Seasonal workers often have multiple options, particularly in high-demand sectors such as warehousing, logistics, and retail. To attract the best talent, ensure your pay rates are competitive and consider offering perks such as staff discounts or flexible shifts. Making your workplace appealing increases your chances of standing out from other employers.
4. Streamline Onboarding and Training
Fast and effective onboarding is critical during seasonal peaks. Keep training practical, relevant, and focused on essential tasks so workers can get up to speed quickly. Pairing new hires with experienced team members can also speed up learning and help them feel supported from day one.
5. Retain Workers for Future Seasons
High turnover is common in seasonal roles, but it does not have to be. Stay in touch with good workers after the busy period ends and invite them back for the next season. Offering pathways into permanent roles for top performers is another way to build loyalty and reduce the need to start from scratch every year.
6. Partner with a Recruitment Agency
Recruitment agencies have access to a wider talent pool and can provide workers who are already vetted, trained, and ready to work. Partnering with an agency like Lowie Recruitment takes the stress out of finding, hiring, and managing large numbers of seasonal staff, leaving you free to focus on running your business.
Turning Seasonal Hiring into a Strength
Seasonal hiring challenges are opportunities to refine your workforce strategy and build a reliable talent pipeline. With planning, flexibility, and the right support, you can keep your business moving smoothly during busy periods and set yourself up for long-term success.
Whether you’re hiring in advance or need employees at the last minute, Lowie Recruitment is here to help your workforce tackle the busy season with confidence. Let us handle the hard work so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.