Hiring Seasonal Workers + Keeping Employees Safe + Workplace Law Forecast 2023 + Flexible Working Practices + Effective Hotel Restaurant Staff

Employers across a wide variety of industries are looking to ramp up their hiring efforts as the holiday season begins.

Indeed, many businesses will rely on temporary workers to meet the uptick in demand that holiday shopping brings – which makes it critical for you to understand and avoid the legal pitfalls associated with seasonal employment.

Here are 10 practical tips to help you stay compliant as you prepare for the holiday rush.

1. Understand the Definition of "Seasonal Employee"
First, you should determine whether your temporary employees are truly "seasonal." According to the IRS, an employee is considered seasonal if the employment period is expected to last for six or fewer months and the need for the role usually starts and ends at about the same time each year – such as November to January for the holidays.

Staffing challenges have been affecting all areas of hotel operations, and restaurant service is no exception. "We definitely have the same problem," says Jennifer Krapp, head of restaurant operations at The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. "Whether it’s front door staff, servers, bartenders, or dish washers, there seems to be a lack of applicants that have the kind of experience that we’re looking for." Given that the dining experience is a major part of guests’ overall impression of the hotel, maintaining service quality despite the staffing challenge is essential. That requires quality hiring, onboarding, and management practices. Krapp, who oversees 26 restaurants across Indigo Road’s hotel portfolio, has a "hands on" perspective on all stages of achieving F&B operational excellence. She shares the following best practices: