Hiring tip: Hourly workers are open to working past the holidays
With the holiday rush fast approaching, now’s the time to get laser-focused on seasonal hiring.
Especially since this year promises to be extra challenging, as there are still two open jobs for every one available worker.
Fortunately, as our annual Holiday Hiring Report reveals, 57% of hourly workers are looking to land a holiday job this season. With 8% inflation eating away at their paychecks, this vast pool of talent includes many employed workers looking to take on a second job to make ends meet (and stretch their budget for holiday gifts).
But equally important to note for hiring managers is that these workers are also using holiday jobs to plan for future work beyond the holiday season.
Our survey of nearly 3,800 hourly workers found that 46% of hourly workers are looking to take on a holiday job that gives them the potential for permanent hire. This can be a real win-win for both you and your workers, as you’ll each not only solve temporary needs but also opportunities for future employment.
Also worth mentioning is that our report points out that 55% of hourly workers will use their experience at your job to determine if they want to take on a more permanent position with you.
So in essence, they’ll be giving you a test run.
Keep in mind that among those surveyed who report having a previous holiday job, 83% say they will NOT be returning to the same job this year. This suggests that holiday work has not been a great chapter in their lives, and it’s more important than ever to make the entire experience positive. This includes a streamlined onboarding process, as well as providing clearly defined expectations so holiday workers know what to expect before the job begins.
It’s also important to note that 60% of these hourly workers report they’ve yet to work a holiday job, so setting expectations upfront is critical for success. These workers tend to be younger (24% are 24 years old or younger) and may be lacking workplace knowledge given the pandemic. So take things slow, provide guidance, and these hourly workers are certain to become valuable partners today and in the future.
To learn more, including recommendations and tips on hiring hourly workers, check out our full Holiday Hiring Report.
PS: For a holiday hiring 2022 deep dive into the Retail, Restaurant, Hotel & Hospitality, or Warehouse & Logistics industries, check out our four industry-specific editions. Plus there’s also our infographic with a quick snapshot of the report’s findings.