How small businesses can cope with holiday staffing issues

The excitement of the holidays — twinkling lights, family time and exchanging of gifts — neglects the reality of work schedules and deadlines. Staffing for the holidays can be a nightmare-inducing task for small business owners. It doesn't just extend to the restaurant and retail industries, but also to accounting firms (with year-end busy seasons), and other small companies that face tight project deadlines. From lawyers, designers, entrepreneurs and growing retailers — the show must go on, even if the staff is itching for their suitcases and watching the door. There are various routes that small-business owners can take to ensure that they aren't left stranded when the holidays hit.

The case of supplemental staffing

For some small businesses, the answer to the surge of vacation-time requests is to hire temporary employees (especially if it's a busy season). Retail, packaging/shipping, and food/beverage providers face a spike in business as consumer spending grows during the holiday season.

Hiring with a plan in mind is important, especially when it comes to diversifying the staff so that you're not hiring 10 staff members that will all be let go when the busy season slows down. If your business is flexible with staffing, like a restaurant, you can hire full-time and part-time employees that will allow adjustable scheduling in the future. According to OpenTable, it is important to establish groundwork in advance, and train staff before your business is in a desperate situation. If you have an established schedule, it'll allow current employees to arrange when they're available to work and you will also have trained staff to fill in.

Unfortunately, not every business allows for quick hires or holiday replacements, says Fox Business.  Small businesses that provide more specialized services, like architects or law and accounting firms, have ongoing client work and freelancers can't as easily jump in and take over. Also, the pool of applicants grows smaller the more specialized the work is. Freelancers and contractors are also working for themselves before your business, so it limits the level of control you have in the situation.

Businesses see a spike in customers during the holiday season.

Overcoming the staffing situation

The first step to preparing for the holiday season is to start planning ahead of time. You can't make staffing decisions without first getting a sense of what your staffing needs will be. Don't get caught reacting, but instead, be proactive. Do your best to predict demand, future sales and operational needs.

Another step to determine early is how requests for time off will be handled. There may be employees who have scheduled their vacation time far in advance, but there will be others that ask at the last minute. Will one employee be able to take one week off, or will five employees be allowed to take individual days? Will seniority come into play? Whatever decision is made about vacation requests, it is vital that it is consistent, according to Inc. Stick to the plan, so if an employee is unhappy with the decision, they'll at least be able to understand why it was made.

While it is important to set up expectations early for the holiday season, it is also valuable to recognize your employees as assets to your business and be flexible. If it is possible, you can offer the opportunity to work from home which will limit their commute time. Also, you can consider company-wide shutdown days. It might not be feasible for all businesses, but it is a good way to give employees the time off and avoid the potential inefficiency of remaining open while short-staffed. Give customers and clients advance notice, so orders can be placed, and deadlines can be rearranged.

Planning ahead and understanding what your company's needs will be ahead of time is crucial for the holiday season. Having an attorney for small businesses could also ensure you are in compliance with work regulations set by the Department of Labor.

Categorised in: Starting a Business in Arizona

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