Every business has busy months. In Minnesota, the seasons shape demand more than in most places, from holiday shipping to winter weather and summer move-outs. Good seasonal staffing helps you avoid overtime burnout, missed orders and rushed hiring. These seven proven steps will help Minnesota employers plan ahead and get through the busiest weeks smoothly.
What is seasonal staffing?
Seasonal staffing means adding temporary workers for a set period when demand rises, then scaling back when things slow down. A staffing agency recruits, screens and often employs these workers, so you can focus on running your business. Seasonal staffing is flexible: you can add a few people for a weekend event or a full crew for a three-month peak.
Common busy seasons in Minnesota
- Fall and the holidays: warehouses, distribution and retail support handle more orders
- Winter: snow removal, building maintenance and heating repairs increase
- Spring and summer: apartment move-outs and turnovers, landscaping and outdoor events
- Year-end: inventory counts, office support and year-end projects
Step 1: Review your past seasons
Look back at the last two years and note when you were short-staffed. Check order volumes, work orders, overtime hours and customer complaints. Patterns will show you when seasonal staffing is needed and for how long.
Step 2: Start seasonal staffing early
The best seasonal workers get booked first. Reach out to your staffing partner several weeks before your busy period starts. Share your expected dates, the number of workers and the shifts you need, even if the numbers are rough. Early planning gives the agency time to recruit and screen the right people.
Step 3: List roles and skills
Write down each role you need, the main tasks and any required skills or certificates. A picker needs different skills than a forklift operator or a make-ready technician. Clear details lead to better matches.
Step 4: Estimate weekly headcount
Estimate how many workers you need each week, not just at the peak. Many busy seasons ramp up and down. Sharing a week-by-week plan helps your staffing partner bring in the right number of people at the right time.
Step 5: Prepare a short training plan
Seasonal workers need to be productive quickly. Prepare a simple training checklist that covers safety rules, key tasks, tools and who to ask for help. For warehouse settings, the OSHA warehousing guidance is a helpful reference.
Step 6: Assign a point person
Choose one person on your team to welcome seasonal staff, answer questions and share feedback with the agency. This simple step improves attendance and keeps small problems from becoming big ones.
Step 7: Turn great seasonal workers into long-term hires
Busy season is a chance to see people at work before you commit. Workers who perform well during your toughest weeks are often great permanent hires. A temp-to-hire arrangement makes that move simple. Learn the differences in our guide to temp agency vs direct hire.
Seasonal staffing mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the busy season has already started
- Skipping training because the role is temporary
- Not sharing schedule changes with your staffing partner
- Forgetting to plan for winter weather and transportation issues
Stay compliant
Seasonal workers are covered by the same labor laws as other employees. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry explains state wage and hour rules. When a staffing agency is the employer of record, it handles payroll for its workers, but you are still responsible for a safe workplace.
Industry-specific seasonal staffing
Property managers can read our guide to property management staffing for turnover season. Facilities that need extra cleaning help should see janitorial staffing. Still choosing a partner? Read how to choose a staffing agency in St. Paul.
How a staffing agency helps with seasonal staffing
A staffing agency makes seasonal staffing much easier. Instead of posting jobs, screening applicants and handling paperwork yourself, the agency recruits and screens workers, and is usually the employer of record. That means less administrative work for you during the busiest time of year.
A good agency will also help you plan. Share your forecast early, and they can recruit ahead of time, keep a list of backup workers and adjust headcount as your needs change week to week. After the season, review what worked with your staffing partner so next year’s seasonal staffing plan is even smoother.
Keeping seasonal workers engaged
Seasonal workers do their best when they feel part of the team. Introduce them to coworkers, explain how their work helps the business and thank them for a job well done. Small gestures, like clear schedules, a short welcome and fair breaks, improve attendance and make workers more likely to return next season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning seasonal staffing?
Start several weeks before your busy period. The most reliable seasonal workers are booked early, and planning ahead gives you time to train them.
What industries use seasonal staffing in Minnesota?
Warehousing and distribution, retail support, property management, cleaning, landscaping, snow removal and event venues all commonly add seasonal staff.
Can seasonal workers become permanent employees?
Yes. Seasonal staffing is a good way to see people at work during your busiest weeks. Strong performers can be offered a permanent job through a temp-to-hire arrangement.
How many seasonal workers do I need?
Look at your past two years of orders, work orders or customer volume and compare them to your normal staffing. That gap is a good starting estimate.
Plan your seasonal staffing now
Tell New Tomorrow Staffing when your busy season starts and how many workers you expect to need. We will help you get ready.
We’re a St. Paul staffing and recruiting company that specializes in speed to hire. We hire fast to last.
