As business owners, HR pros, CEOs, and employers, making the right hiring decision doesn’t always come easy or without a lot of consideration. 

One of the key decisions you may face when you’re ready to hire is whether seasonal vs. permanent employees will best suit your organization and its needs. 

Each hiring strategy comes with its own set of things to think about. 

Each hiring decision comes with wildly different pros and cons. 

And each and every hiring decision has the power to boost productivity, team morale, and overall business success – making it even more important to choose the right hiring strategy for you.  

Let’s dive into the nitty gritty so you can make an informed decision about your employment needs: 

Understanding Seasonal vs. Permanent Employment

The difference between an interim vs. a permanent employee might seem obvious.

Sure, you can take the hiring terms at face value. Season employee = for a short time or season. Permanent employee = intended to last for an indefinite period of time. 

But there’s more to permanent hires and seasonal hires than meets the eye. Let’s peel back the layers and explore the deeper considerations of permanent and seasonal employee engagements.

We’ll go first: 

The Legal Obligations

When it comes to legal obligations, there are major distinctions between permanent and seasonal hires. 

Permanent employees are entitled to a range of benefits such as healthcare, paid time off, and retirement plans. On the other hand, seasonal employees typically do not have access to the same comprehensive benefits package, as their employment is temporary.

What you maybe didn’t know is that when you hand your temp hiring over to an agency like That’s Good HR, payroll, vacation, and other benefits – they’re all on us. 

Why? Because your talented, new seasonal employee is technically employed by our agency, saving you money on overhead costs and freeing up valuable time (more on that later). 

The bottom line: your legal responsibilities will vary depending on the type of hire that fills your role. However, discrimination laws, wage and hour regulations, and safety standards apply to all employees. Fulfilling your responsibilities doesn’t just foster a positive work environment – it’s required by law. 

Training & Onboarding Responsibilities

Another consideration when determining which hiring strategy best fits your business is to understand what training and onboarding will look like.

For example, when bringing on seasonal employees, the priority often lies in streamlining the training process to acclimate them to their roles and responsibilities. Given the temporary nature of their employment, an efficient training and onboarding process becomes all the more important to make the most of their limited timeframe. 

Alternatively, for permanent hires, a more robust onboarding and training program is often used so employees can gain a deep understanding of the company and their long-term responsibilities. 

Thankfully, when you outsource your staffing with That’s Good HR, the onboarding process is handled by us – regardless of employment type, so you can save time on onboarding and create more time for training.

And last but not least…

Duration of Your Hire

Seasonal employees are typically brought on board to fulfill short-term needs, such as during busy holiday seasons or peak production periods, while permanent employees are intended to be long-term assets to your organization.

While seasonal employees add a burst of energy and flexibility to your workforce, permanent employees typically provide the foundation needed to build a strong, thriving company culture. 

Understanding your unique business needs is crucial so you can form fair and accurate expectations of your seasonal and permanent hires. 

Hiring doesn’t have to be hard, but knowing what type of employee is needed to maintain your team’s productivity and morale is important. 

P.S. That’s Good HR is here to help. 

Determining The Right Hire for You

Pause for a second. Take a close look at your business and its current needs.

Are you facing a short-term surge in demand that requires quick reinforcements, or do you need to build a solid, enduring team for the long haul? 

Knowing your immediate and long-term staffing needs can help you determine whether to hire seasonal or permanent employees.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get started:

How long do I need to fill the gap?

Consider the level of flexibility and continuity your business demands. 

Does your team’s workload fluctuate with seasonal peaks and troughs? Or do you need a consistent skill set within your team?

Seasonal employees can provide the flexibility needed to scale your workforce up or down. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a consistent, dependable skill set within your team, a permanent employee could be the better fit.

What skills are needed for the open role(s)?

Zoom out and evaluate your hiring needs with a wide lens. 

What specific skills are needed for the role you’re looking to fill? Do you need specialized expertise for a limited time, like a marketing campaign or IT project, or are you after more general industry skills that will be valuable in the long run?

If it’s a short-term need that calls for niche skills, hiring a seasonal employee with specialized knowledge can be a smart move for project success – without committing to a long-term hire. 

On the flip side, if you’re seeking someone to contribute to the team consistently, a permanent employee with solid industry skills and the ability to adapt and grow with your company may be the better choice. 

Considering what skills you need can help pinpoint the right talent and hiring strategy for your business. 

Remember: it’s all about finding the perfect match to help, slowly but surely, move the needle forward. 

What is my hiring budget?

Reviewing your budget and available resources is crucial in making the right hiring decision. 

While seasonal hires have a reputation for being “more expensive” due to the recruiting and training required, permanent employees usually bring a higher initial investment due to the cost of benefits and onboarding.

Understanding both options is key so you can align your hiring strategy with your budget. 

We’ll Make Hiring the Easiest Part of Your Day

At That’s Good HR, we understand how layered and complex it feels to decide on the best hiring strategy for your business. 

Whether you need seasonal staffing solutions, help recruiting permanent employees, or simply don’t know what hiring solution suits your business best – our team of experienced professionals is here to support you every step of the way.Visit our website to learn more about how to partner with us. We’ll help you make sense of each hiring strategy and ask aaaaall the right questions, so you can make informed decisions that benefit your organization in the long run.

Remember: That’s Good HR is here to make hiring the easiest part of your day.