The
confectionery industry has the special privilege/task of enduring holiday
bursts. Hiring a temporary workforce can help your business maintain consistent
production levels and product quality. In this excerpt from a Kettle Talk article written by Jan Douglass with
Esther Price Candies, Corp., we built upon three practical tips to help you
hire smart for the holidays.
#1: Build
Relationships with Staffing Agencies
Staffing
agencies can be a great resource for filling temporary positions. Building
relationships with reputable staffing agencies and other local organizations
(e.g., county or state job centers, developmentally disabled adult centers,
etc.) can help to source reliable individuals for seasonal work and unforeseen
sales bursts. When working with staffing agencies it is important to practice
open and honest communication. Start by taking the time to discuss open
positions rather than simply providing a job description. If a recommended
candidate isn’t a good fit, providing concise feedback on why that was the case
will help staffing agencies identify better candidates in the future. These
simple steps will ensure the staffing agency feels well equipped to find the
right fit, right away.
#2: Training is
Key
They may only be
with you for a brief time, but a temporary workforce can be vital to keeping
with the ebbs and flows of seasonal
business and make it less painful when you must reduce your staff at
the close of a season. Be aware, however, there can be downsides to a temporary
workforce, such as high turnover rates. Increased turnover can result in more
training hours, risk of production and packing errors and additional work for
human resources. Minimize
those risks by having sourcing organizations pre-screen individuals
and clearly communicate the job expectations to candidates
through digital recordings of the candy making process. Successful training can
also lead to the return of seasonal staff year after year.
#3: Stay Current
on Labor Laws
Make sure to
brush up on federal and state labor laws before hiring for the holidays, as
many regulations that apply to full-time employment also apply to part-time and
seasonal employment. The U.S. Small
Business Administration’s (SBA) Employment and
Labor Law Guide is a
useful resource when hiring. Be aware of your state’s legal requirements for
benefits such as unemployment, social security/medicare and
workers’ compensation. Check with your state’s department of labor for
exemptions for employers who require temporary staff for periods of 10 weeks or
less. You will also want to familiarize yourself on your tax reporting
responsibilities according to IRS regulations and
state tax laws.
Take advantage of these tips and have a holly jolly hiring season!
Take advantage of these tips and have a holly jolly hiring season!
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