Summer brings longer days, lighter moods, and the chance for your team to enjoy a well-earned break. For many businesses, it’s also a time when productivity can dip, and workloads feel the strain. In fact, almost half (45 per cent) of full-time employees in the UK say they’re less productive during the summer months, a figure that rises to 57 per cent for those aged 18–34.
Whether you’re preparing for a seasonal spike in demand or just keeping day-to-day operations on track, managing staff holidays and availability is key. So, how can you keep things moving without overloading your core team? With the right approach, the summer months can still be a period of progress. Here’s how to stay on track, and why seasonal staffing shouldn’t be an afterthought!
1. Map Out Your Summer Resourcing
Don’t wait until the last minute to plan holiday cover. Identify key pinch points now; periods when multiple team members are likely to be away, project deadlines fall, or demand typically spikes. Then, work backwards to plan your resourcing needs.
Think beyond just ‘who’s off’. Ask what skills or roles are most critical to business continuity. Proactive planning helps avoid last-minute panic hiring and ensures everyone, including your regular team, feels supported.
2. See Temporary Hires as a Business Asset
Bringing in seasonal staff is often seen as a quick fix – but the right hire can add real value. Temporary workers help maintain service levels, ease pressure on your core team, and even bring fresh ideas or experience from other industries.
At Thrive, we’ve seen countless examples of temps stepping into key roles, contributing meaningfully, and even becoming permanent team members. Hiring short-term doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality – it’s about flexibility and fit.
3. Retain Productivity Without Burning Out Staff
When businesses try to ‘make do’ with fewer people, it’s often loyal, long-standing staff who take on the extra workload. However, this can lead to burnout, mistakes, and long-term disengagement. In fact, more than two million UK employees risk burnout working over their holidays, with 54% stressed by increased workloads and 45% doing unpaid overtime (Source).
Evidently, a well-structured summer staffing plan protects your team and supports productivity. Whether it’s for a few days or several weeks, the right temporary hire can make all the difference.
4. Communicate Clearly and Early
When temporary staff come on board or when internal roles shift during holiday periods, communication is key. Make sure handovers are thorough, expectations are clear, and there’s always someone available to support new starters.
Summer is also a great time to foster adaptability; encouraging teamwork and knowledge-sharing across departments can help your business become more resilient all year round.
5. Lean on Trusted Recruitment Partners
Finding the right people quickly and with minimal fuss is where we come in. Thrive Group’s local teams understand the industries we serve and the unique summer pressures businesses face. Whether you need a Legal Secretary, Administrator, or Warehouse Supervisor, we are committed to finding you the right talent ready to hit the ground running.
So, if you’re looking to stay fully staffed, stress-free, and ready for whatever summer brings, don’t leave it to chance. Let’s plan ahead, stay flexible, and keep your business moving.
Speak to your local Thrive team today and take the pressure out of summer staffing.
