Managing Seasonal Staff When 54% Don't Survive 90 Days

The Seasonal Challenge

Whether you're in a beach town that triples in summer or near a ski resort that explodes in winter, seasonal fluctuations can make or break your year. Success requires more than just hiring more people—it requires systematic approaches to onboarding, training, and scheduling.

The Hidden Complexities

Seasonal scaling introduces challenges that compound exponentially:

• **Training Bottlenecks**: Onboarding 50 employees in two weeks
• **Culture Dilution**: Maintaining standards with 70% temporary staff
• **Schedule Complexity**: Managing 3x more availability and preferences
• **Compliance Risks**: Increased violations from inexperienced managers

Strategies That Scale

1. Tiered Onboarding Systems

Create role-specific training tracks that can run parallel:

• Core orientation for all employees (compliance, safety, culture)
• Position-specific modules that can be self-paced
• Buddy system pairing seasonal with year-round staff

2. Technology-Enabled Training

With 73% of operators increasing technology investments in 2024, digital platforms transform seasonal onboarding:

• **49% of restaurants** use staff scheduling software
• **52% employ automated payroll systems**
• CMMS and labor management software achieve payback within **4-7 months**
• Automated scheduling reduces time requirements by **95%**