Full-Service HR

Saying Goodbye to Seasonal Employees

Chelsea Bikner
Seasonal Employees
Reading time 3 Mins
Published on Dec 26
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With the holiday season now behind us, it’s nearing time to say goodbye to your seasonal employees. From students who will be returning to school to parents who just wanted to make a little extra cash for the holidays, many temporary employees expect this and have a plan in place for after they leave your employ. Still, letting go a valuable employee, even a seasonal one, is never easy. Here are some tips to make the separation a little less painful for both you and your employee.

Give your full-time staff a break

Not quite ready to see your holiday helpers leave yet? With retail sales and shipping demands slowing down as your business heads into the new year, utilize your seasonal employees to give your full-time employees a much-needed break. Not only will you be offering an extension of your temporary employees’ assignments, but you’ll also be helping to avoid burnout with your regular staff members.

Show your appreciation

Always provide a letter of recommendation with your temporary employees’ final paychecks or hand deliver it to them on their last day. This shows that you truly valued and appreciated their contribution to the team during the holiday season and that you want them to succeed in the future, even if it can’t be with your company.

Plan for the future

Even when you’ve been blown away by a seasonal workers performance, budget constraints often make it difficult to hire additional full-time staff outside of the holiday hustle and bustle. But you can leave the door open for returning seasonal employees year after year. Keep in touch with your best seasonal employees outside of the holidays – send them a birthday card or a quick checking in email letting them know you’d welcome their return next season. You should also keep a file of seasonal employees that have expressed interest in joining your regular staff, which can be a lifesaver if you suddenly need to replace a full-time team member.

Throw a going away party

Your seasonal staff makes it possible for you to provide top-tier customer service during the busiest part of the year. From training in hectic conditions to working shifts that regular employees abhor, your temporary workers deserve a lot of credit for their contribution to your company’s holiday season earnings. Acknowledge the impact of your seasonal workers by holding a going away party for them with the rest of your team. You could even give an “employee of the season” award to your top seasonal employee.

Saying goodbye is never easy

After all they’ve done for your business, letting seasonal employees go at the end of the holidays can be a difficult task. With the right blend of appreciation and recognition, you can leave your temporary employees knowing that you value their contribution to the team and have them looking forward to the opportunity to return to help your business succeed in the next holiday season.

Need help with your seasonal employees? Learn more about Sheakley’s HR Outsourcing team and contact us for your free consultation today. Stay up-to-date on all things Sheakley by subscribing to our blog and following us on social media. Join in the discussion by commenting below.


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