Don’t Overlook the Importance of Training Your Seasonal Staff

Congratulations on hiring your seasonal staff before the rush. Don’t overlook the importance of training to ensure no bumps in your customer service experience. Keep this checklist handy when seasonal staff come aboard. Setting new staffers up for success sets your business up for success, too.

Industry-Specific Skills: Temporary staff may not be familiar with the specific tasks and processes unique to a particular industry. Make sure you or someone on your team reviews this material ahead of time with the staffer. Train in industry-specific tasks to reduce errors and streamline operations. This is crucial, especially during peak seasons when the workload is higher. Train during a slower time so your staff is ready when traffic picks up.

Safety Protocols: Safety is of paramount importance no matter the industry. Pre-season training is an opportunity to educate temporary staff about safety procedures, the proper use of equipment and what to do when something unexpected arises that threatens employee safety. Preparing employees on safety measures can ultimately save lives and money.

Customer Service Training: In industries like retail, hospitality and tourism, positive customer experiences mean everything. You don’t want a bad experience by a guest going viral on social media! Temporary staff should be trained in your customer service protocol, including what to do when an issue arises. Providing exceptional customer service during peak seasons can bolster the reputation of a business. Training ensures that temporary staff align with the company's customer service standards.

Team Building and Morale: Temporary staff should be integrated into existing teams, and pre-season training provides an opportunity for them to build rapport with full-time employees. Feeling prepared and included in the workplace can boost the morale of temporary staff, leading to increased job satisfaction and retention.

Regulatory Compliance: Some industries have specific regulations regarding employee training, especially in areas like food service, health care and construction. Failing to comply with these requirements can result in fines and legal consequences. Adequate training helps mitigate the risk of legal disputes, such as employee complaints or lawsuits related to workplace practices.

Adaptation to Technology: If you rely on technology for efficient operations, make sure temporary staff is familiar with applicable software.

Employee Empowerment: Rely on your current employees to train your seasonal staff. When employees feel empowered in their roles, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. Just make sure you’re not overloading your current staff to train new staff. If you’re asking something more, compensate accordingly.